sj^s- 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.J. 

BS  2655  .C4  R42  1841 
Reade,  Thomas  Shaw  Bancroft 
Christian  experience 


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"  'Die  glorious jf re sence   of  Ood.-v^'hichTZffn^Scr.  and 
the  sw4€t  feUcwshgt  of  Jn^eh  Kind  r-avtis  " 


EWMf@C?Ko 


JPTJBILlSHEia)   i3X  JJOlLir  SoTATiLOlR, 
i'^5  JSrassa-a3t:-oel. 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE 


AS  DISPLAYED 


IN  THE  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS 


SAINT  PAUL. 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR  OF  "  CHRISTIAN  RETIREMENT." 

"by   the    grace    of   god   I   AM    WHAT   I   AM." 

'l  AM  NOT  ASHAMED  OF  THE  GOSPEL  OF  CHRIST;    FOR  IT  13  THE  POVVKB  OP 
GOD  UNTO  SALVATION  TO  EVERY  ONE  THAT  BELIKVETH." 

FIRST  AMERICAN,  FROM  THE  SEVENTH  LONDON  EDITION. 

NEW  YORK : 
PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  S.  TAYLOR, 

145  NASSAU  STREET. 

1841. 


PREFACE. 


This  little  Treatise  has  no  pretensions  to  novelty, 
being  on  subjects  which  form  the  daily  meditation 
of  the  devout  Christian,  and  from  which  he  de- 
rives his  purest  enjoyment :  neither  does  the  Au- 
thor presume  to  vie  with  those,  whose  works 
on  the  life  of  St.  Paul,  have  enriched  the  stores 
of  Sacred  Literature. 

His  design  in  publishing  these  thoughts  on  the 
Experience  of  the  Apostle,  is,  in  some  feeble 
measure  to  exhibit  the  beauty  of  EvangeHcal  Re- 
ligion :  by  bringing  into  one  view,  the  varied 
excellencies  of  his  character ;  and  by  unfolding 
those  principles  of  faith  and  love,  which,  through 
the  Spirit,  made  him  so  great  a  blessing  to  man- 
kind. 

Christianity  is  the  religion  of  the  heart.  Every 
doctrine  of  the  Gospel  is  a  sacred  spring  of  ho- 
liness. In  these  pages,  the  Author  has  therefore 
endeavoured  to  treat  these  mysteries  of  grace, 
not  controversially,  but  practically :  not  as  sub- 
jects for  speculation,  but  as  sources  of  peace  and 

joy- 


IV  PREFACE. 

To  the  spiritual  reader,  no  apology  would  be 
requisite,  for  the  numerous  extracts  which  are 
inserted  from  the  Writings  of  St.  Paul.  These 
form  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  Work.  They  are 
precious  Jewels,  however  humble  may  be  the 
casket  in  which  they  are  conveyed. 

What  language  can  so  well  describe  the  inward 
joys  and  griefs  of  the  Apostle,  as  his  own  pathetic 
address  to  the  churches  of  the  saints.  By  them, 
he  being  dead  yet  speaketh. 

May  He,  whose  Power  is  manifested  in  the 
weakest  instruments,  be  pleased  to  render  this 
humble  tribute  of  affection  to  His  cause  subser- 
vient to  the  purposes  of  His  glory. 


CONTENTS 


Page. 
CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  Remarks  on  the  Value  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures  9 


CHAPTER  n. 
On  the  Conversion  of  Saul  of  Tarsus 24 

CHAPTER  III. 

Paul's  humiliating  Confession,  The  Opposition  he  met 
with  from  the  Jews.  His  Reception  at  Jerusalem  by 
the  Apostles.     The  Natural  Energy  of  his  Character.       42 

CHAPTER  IV. 

An  Account  of  the  Persecutions  which  Paul  endured  for 

the  sake  of  the  Gospel 61 

CHAPTER  V. 
Continuation  of  the  Apostle's  Trials 73 

CHAPTER  VI. 

On  Conversion.  St.  Paul's  Delight  in  preaching  the  Gos- 
pel.  The  Character  of  the  persons  to  whom  he  wrote 
his  Epistles.  His  Thankfulness  for  Success  in  his 
Ministry 88 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 

CHAPTER  Vir. 


The  Prayers  of  St.  Paul  for  the  Christian  Converts.  His 
Labour  to  promote  the  Stabihty  of  Believers.  The 
Love  of  Christ  his  governing  principle.  His  Benevo- 
lent Exertions  for  the  poor  saints  in  Judaea.        -         -     102 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Effects  of  the  Apostle's  Preaching.  His  Prophetic 
Warnings  of  Spiritual  Declensions.  His  Glorying  in 
the  Cross  of  Christ.  His  Tenderness  of  Spirit.  His 
View  of  the  Law  and  the  Gospel 119 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Paul's  Disinterestedness.  His  Parental  Solicitude  for  his 
Spiritual  Children.  His  Self-renunciation.  His  Chris, 
tjan  Forbearance  with  weak  brethren.        .        _        -     140 


CHAPTER  X. 

On  the  Character  of  St.  Paul,  as  a  Man  of  Prayer.     His 

unbending  Integrity 162 


CHAPTER  XI. 

St.  Paul's  Faithfulness  in  reproving.     His  Obedience  to 

Civil  Government. 175 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Outline  of  the  Apostle's  Preaching.     His  Description 

of  the  Heathen,  and  of  the  nominally  Christian  World.     196 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

Page, 
CHAPTER  XIII. 

St.  Paul's  Prophetic  View  of  the  Second  Advent  of  Christ. 

His  Cautions  against  Unbelief  and  Spiritual  Pride.        211 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

St.  Paul's  Doctrine  on  Justification  by  Faith.  .        .        -    299 

CHAPTER  XV. 
On  Justification — Continued.  ....        -    242 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

^St.   Paul's  Experience  in  the  Conflict  between  the  Flesh 

and  the  Spirit.         .-....-    254 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
On  the  Spiritual  Conflict— continued.       -        -        -        .    277 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

St.  Paul's  Sources  of  Consolation  :  viz. — The  Covenant 
Titles  of  Jehovah. — The  Immutability  of  the  Divine 
Counsel. — The  sufficiency  of  the  Saviour's  Grace. — 
The  Efl[icacy  of  his  Power. — The  Assurance  of  Fu- 
lure  Glory -    300 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

St.  Paul's  Description  of  Christian  Charity.    On  Self-ex- 

amination -        .    322 

CHAPTER  XX. 

On  Gospel  Sanctification  as  slated  by  St.  Paul  in  his 

Epistles -    341 


Vm  CONTENTS. 

Page. 
CHAPTER  XXI. 

On  the  Special  Gifts  of  God.  The  Importance  of  Humil- 
ity  in  contemplating  the  Purposes  of  Jehovah.  The 
Stability  of  the  New  Covenant 357 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

On  the  Eternal  Love  of  God  the  Source  of  the  Believer's 

Happiness.     The  Final  Glorification  of  the  Saints.        373 

CHAPTER  XXni. 

Concluding  reflections  on  St.  Paul's  Character.         -       -    391 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE, 

AS  DISPLAYED  IN  THE  LIFE  AND   WRITINGS  OF 
ST.  PAUL. 


CHAPTER   I. 

INTRODUCTORY      REMARKS     ON     THE     VALUE     OF      THE 
HOLY    SCRIPTURES. 


"  Blest  is  the  Book  whose  leaves  display, 
Jesus  the  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Way  ; 
Read  it  with  diligence,  with  pray'r  ] 
Search  it,  and  you  will  find  Him  there." 

At  a  period  like  the  present,  when  knowledge  is 
rapidly  increasing,  through  the  prevalence  of  education 
and  the  facilties  of  the  press  ;  when  infidelity,  alive  to 
these  advantages,  is  insinuating  its  poison  in  every 
form ;  when  errors  are  unhappily  springing  up,  and 
divisions  are  weakening  the  Christian  Church  ; — what 
a  treasure  is  the  Word  of  God. 

Here  we  have  Light  to  dissipate  our  darkness  ; — 
Truth,  to  guide  us  amidst  the  mazes  of  error ; — Conso- 
lations, to  gladden  us  in  a  world  of  misery. 

The  Bible  is  the  Revelation  of  a  Father's  love — the 
Expression  of  Jehovah's  grace  to  sinners — the  De- 
pository of  heavenly  blessings — the   Charter  of  our 


10  CIIRISTIAX    EXPERIENCE. 

highest  privileges  : — The  Bible  is  the  religion  of  Pro- 
testants— the  glory  of  our  churches — the  Poor  Man's 
Friend.  Every  thing  sublime  in  conception,  and  ten- 
der in  expression,  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  Sacred  Scrip- 
tures. 

*  The  Eternal  Jehovah  has  there  revealed  Himself, 
as  clothed  with  majesty  and  honour ;  glorious  in  holi- 
ness, fearful  in  praises,  doing  wonders  ;  of  purer  eyes 
than  to  behold  iniquity ;  in  whose  sight  the  heavens 
are  not  clean  : — and  there  he  has  manifested  forth  his 
glory,  as  mighty  to  save  ;  forgiving  iniquity,  trans- 
gression, and  sin. 

In  that  Blessed  Volume,  Mercy  is  seen  to  arrest  the 
arm  of  Justice,  and  all  the  tenderness  of  the  Father  is 
displayed  in  the  person  of  the  Son.  Love  breathes 
throughout  its  sacred  pages  ;  for  even  when  he  declares, 
"  As  many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and  chasten," — the  se- 
vere reproof  is  but  "  the  graver  countenance  of  love." 
Can  we  then  neglect  the  Scriptures,  which  contain  the 
richest  treasures ;  compared  with  which,  all  else  is 
poor  indeed. 

When  the  Creator  of  the  world  becomes  an  Author, 
his  word  must  be  as  perfect  as  his  work.  The  heavens 
declare  the  glory  of  God,  and  so  does  the  Volume  of 
his  Truth.  To  the  humble  seeker  after  God,  the  Lord 
makes  himself  known  as  a  God  of  grace  and  mercy ; 
for  the  Scriptures  are  able  to  make  us  wise  unto  sal- 
vation, through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  Spirit  no  sooner  applies  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Je- 
sus with  power  to  the  heart,  than  the  desert  is  made  to 
rejoice  and  to  blossom  as  the  rose  ;  the  soul  is  beauti- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  H 

fied  with  salvation,  and  all  its  powers  are  consecrated 
to  the  service  of  its  Redeemer ;  "  for  the  law  of  the 
Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul ;  the  testimony 
of  the  Lord  is  sure,  making  wise  the  simple  ;  the 
statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart ;  the 
commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure,  enhghtening  the 
eyes."  Hence,  David,  from  happy  experience  could 
say,  "  By  them  is  thy  servant  warned,  and  in  keep- 
ing of  them  there  is  great  reward." 

Before  his  resurrection  Jesus  prayed  in  behalf  of 
his  disciples,  "  Holy  Father,  sanctify  them  through 
thy  truth  ;  thy  word  is  truth."  And  after  his  resurrec- 
tion, by  his  own  Almighty  Power,  he  opened  their  un- 
derstanding, to  understand  the  Scriptures.  Happy 
then  shall  we  be,  if,  in  unison  with  the  Psalmist  we 
can  say,  "  O  how  love  I  thy  law,  it  is  my  meditation 
all  the  day.  Thy  testimonies  are  my  delight  and  my 
counsellors.  Open  thou  mine  eyes,  that  I  may  be- 
hold wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law.  Thy  word  hath 
quickened  me." 

Every  thing  around  is  given  to  change.  Sickness 
impairs  the  hue  of  health  ;  adversity,  the  prospect  of 
pleasant  years  ;  earthly  friends  may  vary  in  their  as- 
pect towards  us, — at  one  time,  bestowing  the  testimo- 
ny of  affection,  at  another,  grieving  us  by  a  chilling 
slight.  But  in  the  Volume  of  his  Truth,  our  heavenly 
Father  gives  the  sweet  assurance,  that  he  changeth 
NOT.  His  Love,  his  Faithfulness,  his  Power,  are  infi- 
nite. To  all  his  adopted  children  his  promises  in 
Christ  are  yea,  and  in  Him  amen,  to  the  glory  of  his 
grace ;  for  Jesus  is  the  same,  yesterday,  and  to-day, 


12  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

and  forever  ;  having  loved  his  own,  he  loved  them  un- 
to the  end.  Blessed  Truth !  Consolatory  declaration ! 
How  animating,  how  supporting  to  the  tempted  and 
tempest-tossed  believer.  O  my  soul,  art  thou  resting 
upon  this  immutable  rock  ?  Is  the  unchangeableness  of 
Jehovah- Jesus,  thy  sure  foundation  ?  What  can  disturb 
thy  peace  beneath  the  smiles  of  infinite,  everlasting 
love  ?  Nothing  but  sin,  indulged  in  the  heart,  ought  to 
trouble  thee.  If  Jesus  dwells  within  thee  by  his 
Spirit ;  if  thou  art  united  to  him,  and  art  abiding  in 
him  by  a  living  faith ;  if  thy  guilt  is  removed  through 
the  merit  of  his  blood,  and  the  efficacy  of  his  interces- 
sion :  then  fear  not,  for  nothing  can  harm  thee  ;  be 
not  afraid,  for  nothing  shall  be  able  to  separate  thee 
from  his  love. — He  who  saveth  thee  is  unchangeable  ; 
none  can  pluck  thee  out  of  his  hands. 

When  Ishmael  was  dying  from  thirst  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  Beersheba,  God  opened  the  eyes  of  Hagar, 
and  she  saw  a  well  of  water,  which  imparted  strength 
to  her  child. 

We  also  are  perishing  in  a  thirsty  land,  where  no 
water  is.  God  graciously  opens  our  eyes  to  behold 
that  well  of  salvation  which  he  has  provided  for  per- 
ishing sinners.  W^ith  joy  he  enables  us  to  draw  forth 
its  restoring  water,  and  receiving  in  faith  this  gift  of 
grace,  our  souls  are  quickened,  renewed  in  holiness, 
and  strengthened  to  serve  God  in  the  Gospel  of  his 
Son. 

O !  how  can  we  sufficiently  praise  our  loving  Saviour, 
for  the  blessings  which  he  reveals  and  imparts  to  us  in 
his  Holy  Word. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  13 

Whatever  man  touches  he  defiles,  because  his  nature 
is  corrupted  through  the  fall.  All  that  proceeds  from 
God  is  holy.  "  Every  word  of  God  is  pure."  So 
David  found  it.  "  Thy  word  is  very  pure,  therefore 
thy  servant  loveth  it."  It  was  a  lamp  unto  his  feet, 
and  a  light  unto  his  path.  He  rejoiced  in  the  Word 
of  God,  as  one  that  findeth  great  spoil.  In  his  esti- 
mation, it  was  more  to  be  desired  than  gold,  yea,  than 
much  fine  gold ;  to  his  spiritual  taste  it  was  sweeter 
than  honey  and  the  honeycomb.  He  treasured  up  the 
Divine  Word  in  his  mind,  and  had  it  ready  on  every 
occasion.  "  Thy  word  have  I  hid  in  mine  heart,  that 
I  might  not  sin  against  thee.  Through  thy  precepts 
I  get  understanding,  therefore  I  hate  every  false  way." 

There  is  no  situation  in  which  a  believer  can  be 
placed,  however  dark  or  intricate,  however  slippery 
or  perilous,  but  in  the  Bible  he  will  find  appropriate 
guidance  and  adequate  support.  For,  "  all  Scripture 
is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable  for 
doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in 
righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect, 
thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works." 

The  Word  of  God  is  wonderful  in  its  operation  on 
the  heart  and  conscience,  through  the  accompanying 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  being  quick  and  powerful, 
sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword.  "  Is  not  my  word 
like  as  a  fire,"  saith  the  Lord,  and  "  like  the  hammer 
that  breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces  ?" 

As  fire  hardens  the  clay,  and  melts  the  wax  ;  as  it 
consumes  the  dross,  and  purifies  the  gold  ;  so  does  the 
Word  of  the  Lord.  Pharaoh  was  judicially  hardened  ; 
2 


14  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

David  was  graciously  softened.  The  former,  being 
left  in  righteous  judgment  to  the  natural  working  of  his 
heart,  resisted  the  Divine  Word,  and  was  destroyed ; 
— the  latter,  being  deeply  humbled  through  grace,  un- 
der the  pointed  repoofs  of  the  Prophet,  confessed  his 
sin  with  penitential  sorrow,  and  obtained  forgiveness. 
Some  do  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures,  nor  the 
power  of  God,  and  perish  for  lack  of  knowledge : — 
Others,  being  unlearned,  and  unstable,  wrest  the  Scrip- 
tures unto  their  own  destruction: — While  others  again, 
hold  the  Truth  in  unrighteousness,  and  perish  in  their 
own  corruption.  But  in  the  midst  of  all  this  ignorance 
and  perversion,  "  the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  right,  and 
the  just  shall  walk  in  them,  but  the  transgressors  shall 
fall  therein."  All  who  will  not  submit  to  the  authority 
of  God's  Word,  shall  be  broken  by  the  power  of  his 
wrath ;  but,  "  to  this  man,"  saith  the  Lord,  "  will  I  look, 
even  to  him  that  is  poor,  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and 
trembleth  at  my  Avord." 

The  Word  of  God  and  prayer  are  the  divinely  ap- 
pointed instuments,  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit,  for  de- 
feating the  machinations  of  Satan  and  establishing  the 
kingdom  of  righteousness  in  the  earth, — that  the 
excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  God  and  not  of 
man. 

This  was  strikingly  verified  in  the  success  of  the 
Apostles,  who,  having  declared — "  We  will  give  our- 
selves continually  to  prayer,  and  to  the  ministry  of  the 
word," — saw  the  immediate  fruit  of  this  devotedness 
to  their  work ;  for  St.  Luke  informs  us,  that  the  Word 
of  God  increased,  that  the  number  of  the  disciples 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  15 

multiplied  in  Jerusalem  greatly,  and  that  a  great  com- 
pany of  the  priests  were  obedient  to  the  faith. 

Our  hearts  are  evil ;  we  are  surrounded  by  tempta- 
tions to  evil ;  and  the  Evil  One  is  ever  on  the  watch 
to  destroy  us.  Where  then  must  we  flee,  and  to  whom 
must  we  look  for  safety  1  Jesus  is  our  refuge  ; — His 
love  and  His  power  can  shield  and  save  us.  He  is 
the  Captain  of  our  salvation ;  the  mighty  Conqueror 
over  sin  and  death. 

When  tempted  by  Satan  in  the  wilderness,  Jesus 
repelled  his  assaults  by  wielding  the  sword  of  the 
Spirit,  the  Word  of  God.  To  each  temptation  ad- 
dressed to  his  mind,  he  answered, — "  it  is  written ;" 
and  the  Scripture  thus  powerfully  applied,  drove  back 
the  enemy,  till  he  departed  from  him,  foiled  and  van- 
quished. 

How  strengthening,  how  consoling  is  the  Word  of 
Truth.  With  this  spiritual  armoury,  this  divine  trea- 
sury, we  shall  be  fortified  for  the  conflict,  equipped  for 
our  pilgrimage,  and  upheld  amid  the  dangers  of  this 
evil  world. 

As  the  traveller,  in  an  unknown  land,  needs  a  faith- 
ful guide ;  as  the  mariner,  traversing  dangerous  seas, 
requires  a  chart  and  a  compass :  so  we  need  a  guide 
and  a  directory  whilst  passing  through  this  world  of 
peril.     God  has  mercifully  given  us  this  help. 

In  his  Holy  Word,  our  loving  Father  has  made 
ample  provision  for  the  wants  of  Zion's  pilgrims ; 
while  the  Spirit,  shining  into  our  hearts,  enables  us 
clearly  to  perceive,  through  his  revealed  truth,  the 
consecrated  way  to  heaven — Jesus  Christ,  the  righte- 


16  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

ous.  With  what  fervour  then  should  we  bless  our 
God  and  Savdour  for  all  these  tokens  of  his  kindness 
towards  us. 

Are  we  bowed  down  under  a  sense  of  the  guilt  of 
sin? 

It  is  written ;  "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy 
of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners.  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved." 

Do  we  dread  a  repulse  from  the  mercy-seat  ? 

It  is  written ;  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour 
and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.  Him 
that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  The 
Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that 
heareth  say.  Come.  And  let  him  that  is  athirst  come. 
And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life 
freely.  Let  us  therefore  come  boldly  unto  the  throne 
of  grace,  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to 
help  in  time  of  need." 

Is  our  heart  trembling,  under  the  consciousness  of 
utter  helplessness,  and  at  the  sight  of  Satan's  power  ? 

It  is  written ;  "  Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  with  thee  : 
be  not  dismayed  ;  for  I  am  thy  God  :  I  will  strengthen 
thee ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee ;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee 
with  the  right-hand  of  my  righteousness.  My  grace 
is  sufficient  for  thee.  The  God  of  peace  shall  bruise 
Satan  under  thy  feet  shortly." 

Are  we  groaning  under  the  workings  of  indwelling 
sin? 

It  is  written ;  "  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  17 

you,  for  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace. 
Who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death ;  I 
thank  God  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

Do  we  long  for  faith,  and  love,  and  every  grace  ? 

It  is  written ;  "  He  shall  give  thee  the  desires  of 
thine  heart.  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive, — seek,  and 
ye  shall  find ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you. 
Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  believing,  ye 
shall  receive." 

Are  we  panting  after  the  Saviour's  presence  ? 

It  is  written ;  "  Unto  you  that  fear  my  name,  shall 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise,  with  healing  in  his 
wings.  If  a  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  words, 
and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto 
him,  and  make  our  abode  with  him." 

Do  we  feel  our  need  of  spiritual  wisdom  and  divine 
direction  ? 

It  is  written ;  "  If  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let  him 
ask  of  God,  who  giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  up- 
braideth  not,  and  it  shall  be  given  him.  Trust  in  the 
Lord  with  all  thine  heart,  and  lean  not  unto  thine  own 
understanding  ;  in  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  and 
he  shall  direct  thy  paths." 

Are  we  afraid  of  temporal  calamity? 

It  is  written ;  "  He  that  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place 
of  the  Most  High  shall  abide  under  the  shadow  of  the 
Almighty.  He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers  ;  and 
under  his  wings  shalt  thou  trust :  his  Truth  shall  be 
thy  shield  and  buckler.  Call  upon  me  in  the  time  of 
trouble,  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me." 
2* 


18  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

Does  the  world  frown  upon  us,  and  persecute  us  for 
Jesus'  sake  ? 

It  is  written ;  "  Hearken  unto  me,  ye  that  know 
righteousness,  the  people  in  whose  heart  is  my  law : 
fear  ye  not  the  reproach  of  men,  neither  be  ye  afraid 
of  their  revilings.  I,  even  1,  am  He  that  comforteth 
you :  who  art  thou,  that  thou  shouldest  be  afraid  of  a 
man  that  shall  die,  and  of  the  son  of  man  which  shall 
be  as  grass,  and  forgetteth  the  Lord  thy  Maker.  But 
I  will  forewarn  you,  whom  ye  shall  fear.  Fear  Him, 
which,  when  he  hath  killed,  hath  power  to  cast  into 
hell ;  yea,  I  say  unto  you,  fear  him.  Blessed  are  ye, 
when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and 
shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely  for  my 
sake  :  rejoice  and  be  exceeding  glad,  for  great  is  your 
reward  in  heaven." 

Do  we  tremble  at  the  thought  of  death,  and  an  ap- 
proaching judgment  ? 

It  is  luritten ;  "  Forasmuch  as  the  children  are  par- 
takers of  flesh  and  blood,  he  also  himself  likewise 
took  part  of  the  same ;  that  through  death,  he  might 
destroy  him  that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the 
devil ;  and  deliver  them,  who  through  fear  of  death, 
were  all  their  life-time  subject  to  bondage.  The  sting 
of  death  is  sin  ;  but  thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us 
the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Give  dili- 
gence to  make  your  calling  and  election  sure  ;  for  sa 
an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  unto  you  abundantly 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ." 

"  These  are  written  that  ye  might  believe  that  Jesus 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  19 

is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God ;  and  that  believing  ye 
might  have  life  through  his  name." 

What  a  precious  book  must  that  be,  which  can  thus 
provide  for  every  trial  and  need  of  the  Christian. 

There  is  no  conceivable  state  of  mind  which  we 
may  be  in,  no  circumstance  in  which  we  can  be  placed, 
no  exercise  of  faith  and  patience  which  we  may  be 
called  to  endure,  but  in  the  Word  of  God  we  shall  find 
direction,  comfort,  and  support  equal  to  our  day. 

Surely  then,  we  should  daily  prize  this  Word  of 
Salvation,  which  reveals  Jesus  in  all  his  fulness,  the 
world  in  all  its  emptiness,  and  heaven  in  all  its  glory.. 
There,  as  in  a  glass,  we  are  taught  to  know  ourselves, 
and  with  this  lamp,  we  are  enabled  to  walk  in  safety,, 
amid  the  dangers  which  surround  our  path.  O  that 
we  may  have  grace  to  receive  the  Truth  into  our 
hearts,  and  to  embrace  it  in  the  simplicity  of  faith. 

The  doctrines  and  precepts,  the  histories  and  char- 
acters, the  promises  and  threatenings,  contained  in  the 
Bible,  are  all  designed  to  enlighten  and  purify  the- 
soul. 

Blessed  will  that  period  be,  when  every  human  be- 
ing shall  possess  the  Word  of  Life,  and  when  every 
heart  shall  feel  its  regenerating  power.  Lord,  hasten 
on  this  long-expected  day ;  a  day  of  peace  and  joy, 
when  all  mankind  shall  love  as  brethren,  and  unite  to 
glorify  thy  name.  O  send  out  thyLight  and  thy  Truth,, 
let  thy  Word  have  free  course  and  be  glorified,  by  the 
conversion  of  the  world  unto  thee. 

Jesus,  who  is  the  Light  of  the  W^orld,  shines  to  us. 
through  the  pages  of  Eternal  Truth.     The  Bible  is^ 


20  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

full  of  Christ ;  it  leads  our  souls  to  him  as  the  source 
of  its  promises,  the  subject  of  its  prophecies,  and  the 
substance  of  its  revealed  glories  ;  for  it  pleased  the 
Father  that  in  Him  should  all  fulness  dwell, — fulness 
of  light,  fulness  of  love,  fulness  of  power,  fulness  of 
glory. 


•  Jesu',  my  Saviour,  in  thy  face 
The  essence  lives  of  ev'ry  grace ; 
All  thhigs  beside  which  charm  the  sight, 
Are  shadows  tipt  with  glowworm  light. 

Thy  beauty  Lord,  th'  enraptur'd  eye 
Which  fully  views  it,  first  must  die ; 
Then  let  me  die,  through  death  to  know, 
That  joy  I  caimot  taste  below." 


It  has  been  well  remarked,  that  "  there  are  peculi- 
arities belonging  to  Sacred  History,  so  remote  from 
every  thing  seen  among  men,  and  such  an  unearthly 
character  is  given  even  to  its  relation  of  ordinary  con- 
cerns, that  the  most  superficial  observer  can  scarcely 
fail  to  distinguish  it  from  every  human  production. 

"^Its  true  and  faithful  portraiture  of  our  own  nature, 
its  appeals  to  the  heart  of  the  reader,  alone  suffice  to 
establish  the  observation. 

"  There  is  a  knowledge  of  the  human  heart,  a  mas- 
ter key  to  its  subtlest  recesses,  which  not  only  surpass- 
es human  penetration  in  its  origin,  but  astonishes, 
while  it  terrifies  the  individual,  whose  bosom  is  laid 
open  to  his  own  inspection,  and  who  finds  himself  a 
stranger,  where  he  had  thought  himself  most  at  home. 
Not  a  lurking  passion  is  suffered  to  remain  undetected 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  21 

in  its  living  pictures.  Motives,  which  we  should  be 
ashamed  to  avow,  are  dragged  before  our  conscience 
in  the  history  of  another ;  and  while  his  sentence  is 
passed,  we  feel  a  personal  condemnation." 

Thus  the  Bible  speaks  to  the  heart  through  the  un- 
derstanding; for,  these  things  were  written  for  our 
admonition,  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  are 
come. 

Thrice  happy  then  is  the  heart  in  which  the  Word 
of  Christ  dwells  richly,  in  all  wisdom  and  spiritual 
understanding.  Such  a  heart  shall  be  kept  in  perfect 
peace,  while  passing  through  this  vale  of  tears.  Trials 
may  assail,  and  griefs  may  pierce  its  tenderest  part, 
but  all  shall  still  be  well.  Faith  and  hope  will  sustain 
the  believer  amidst  the  swelling  billows,  till  Jesus  shall 
place  his  servant  beyond  the  reach  of  sorrow. 


"  Does  the  Lord  of  glory  speak 
To  his  creatures  here  below ; 
And  may  souls  so  frail  and  weak 
All  his  gracious  dealings  know  7 
Does  the  blessed  Bible  bring, 
Tidings  from  our  heav'nly  King  1 

"  O  with  what  intense  desire, 

Should  we  search  that  sacred  book ; 
Here,  our  zeal  should  never  tire, 

Here,  we  should  delight  to  look 
For  the  rules  by  mercy  giv'n, 
To  conduct  our  souls  to  heav'n. 

''  Shall  not  he,  that  humbly  seeks, 
All  the  light  of  truth  discern! 
Do  we  not,  when  Jesus  speaks, 

Feel  our  hearts  within  us  bum  T 
For  his  soul-reviving  voice 
Bids  the  mourner  to  rejoice. 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

'  Lord,  thy  teaching  grace  impart, 

That  we  may  not  read  in  vain  ; 

Write  thy  precepts  on  our  heart. 

Make  thy  truths  and  doctrines  plaia ; 
Let  the  message  of  thy  love 
Guide  us  to  thy  rest  above.  ""* 


*  The  Author  is  indebted  to  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Bathurst,  M.  A.,  Rector  of 
Barwick-in-Elmet,  for  several  Original  Hymns,  extracted  from  his  Collection 
of  "Psalms  and  Hymns,  for  public  and  private  use;"  which  are  as  spiritual 
in  feeling,  as  they  are  beautiful  in  cwnposilion. 


CHAPTER  11. 

ON  THE  CONVERSION  OF  SAUL  OF  TARSUS. 

Of  all  the  records  of  Divine  Grace,  which  are  trea- 
sured up  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  none  more  strikingly 
exhibits  its  sovereignty  and  power,  than  the  Conver- 
sion of  Saul  of  Tarsus. 

To  the  believer  in  Jesus,  it  must  be  a  source  of  edi- 
fication and  encouragement,  to  trace  the  experience  of 
this  chosen  vessel,  from  his  first  reception  of  the  Sa- 
viour, to  the  close  of  his  eventful  life. 

When  writing  to  the  Christians  at  C©rinth,  he  could 
say,  through  the  grace  bestowed  upon  him,  "  Be  ye 
followers  of  me,  even  as  I  also  am  of  Christ."  May 
we  have  grace  to  resemble  this  holy  man,  in  his  spirit- 
ual-mindedness  and  devotedness  to  the  Redeemer. 

Here,  is  the  faith  and  patience  of  the  saints.  As 
grace  brings  them  out  of  darkness  into  light,  so  will 
grace  conduct  them  to  the  realms  of  glory.  Entering 
the  celestial  city  with  songs,  and  everlasting  joy  upon 
their  heads,  they  shall  see  the  King  in  his  beauty,  and 
raise  the  head-stone  of  the  spiritual  temple  with  shout- 
ings, crying,  "  grace,  grace  unto  it." 

While  viewing  the  character  of  the  Apostle  in  his 
unconverted  state,  we  must  be  struck  with  that  more 
than  Egyptian  darkness  which  beclouded  his  mind. 


24  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

He  was  of  the  straitest  sect  of  the  Pharisees,  who,  in 
general,  were  bigoted,  cruel,  and  high-minded.  For 
the  appearance  of  greater  sanctity,  they  not  only 
fasted  often,  and  made  long  prayers,  but  separated 
themselves  from  the  herd  of  mankind ;  from  whom 
they  were  distinguished  by  the  badges  peculiar  to  their 
sect, — as,  long  robes,  broad  phylacteries,  large  fringes, 
and  borders  of  their  garments.  They  were  active  and 
dihgent  in  what  cost  them  little  ;  and  so  contrived  the 
scheme  of  their  religion,  that  what  they  did  might  be 
seen  of  men  to  the  best  advantage.  They  coveted, 
and  obtained  the  praise  of  men.  All  their  religion 
and  kindness  were  confined  within  the  bounds  of  their 
own  party ;  and  the  first  principle  which  they  taught 
their  new  converts  was, — That  none  but  they  were 
godly,  and  that  all  other  persons  were  worthless. 
They  therefore  endeavoured  to  inspire  them  with  zeal 
and  fierceness  against  all  Avho  diff*ered  from  them,  so 
that  if  any  one  dared  to  speak  favourably  of  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  he  was  put  out  of  the  synagogue,  and  per- 
secuted, even  unto  death. — Such  was  the  character, 
and  such  the  religion  of  Saul  the  Pharisee. 
^  Being  brought  up  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel,  he  was 
well  acquainted  with  the  writings  of  Moses  and  the 
Prophets  ;  but  he  knew  not  the  true  spiritual  meaning 
of  those  prophecies  which  relate  to  the  character, 
work,  sufferings,  and  glory  of  the  Messiah.  So  true 
it  is,  that  "  the  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of 
the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness  unto  him  : 
neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritual- 
ly discerned." 


Christian  experience.  25 

Is  not  this  our  condition  till  taught  of  God  to  know 
the  misery  of  our  fallen  state  ?  We  never  value  the 
Saviour  till  we  feel  our  need  of  him  ;  for  they  that  are 
whole  need  not  a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick. 

What  cause  then  have  we  to  bless  God,  if  the  Spirit 
has  graciously  opened  our  eyes  to  see  our  guilt,  and 
made  our  hearts  to  feel  a  genuine  sorrow  for  sin.  Je- 
sus will  then  be  dear,  yea,  infinitely  precious  to  our 
souls,  His  name  will  be  as  ointment  poured  forth. 

Saul  was  zealous  for  the  Law,  as  a  covenant  of 
works  ;  but  he  saw  not  the  glory  of  Jesus,  who  is  the 
end  of  the  Law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth.  Though,  scrupulously  exact  in  Pharisaical 
observances,  he  could  overcome  his  scruples,  and  unite 
with  infidel  Sadducees  to  suppress  the  religion  of  Je- 
sus, just  as  Herod  and'  Pilate  overcame  their  mutual 
enmity  when  combining  to  eflfect  his  crucifixion. 

In  the  fulness  of  time,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
arose  to  bless  the  earth,  with  healing  in  his  wings. 
By  good  old  Simeon  he  was  hailed  as  "  a  light  to 
lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  his  people  Is- 
rael." But,  "  the  light  shined  in  darkness,  and  the 
darkness  comprehended  it  not."  The  promised  Deliv- 
erer came  unto  his  own,  and  his  own  received  him 
not.  He  was  despised  and  rejected  of  men,  a  man 
of  sorrow  and  acquainted  with  grief.  The  kings  of 
the  earth  took  counsel  together,  against  the  Lord,  and 
against  his  anointed,  saying,  let  us  break  their  bonds 
asunder,  and  cast  away  their  cords  from  us." 

And  in  this  our  day,  how  many  are  fighting  against 
Christ  and  his  Gospel.    Satan  has  his  emissaries,  who 
3 


26  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

are  busily  employed  in  attacking  Christianity,  by  bold 
assertions  and  daring  blasphemies :  while  others,  under 
the  garb  of  orthodoxy,  are  opposing  the  humble,  yet 
zealous  preacher  of  the  Truth,  that  real  friend  and 
builder  up  of  the  Church,  as  if  he  were  nothing  better 
than  a  troubler  in  Israel. 

The  Gospel  of  peace  is  the  innocent  occasion  of 
this  fiery  opposition,  agreeably  to  our  blessed  Saviour's 
own  declaration,  "  I  am  come  to  send  fire  on  the  earth ; 
and  what  will  I,  if  it  be  already  kindled  ?  Suppose 
ye  that  I  am  come  to  give  peace  on  earth,  I  tell  you 
nay,  but  rather  division.  Think  not  that  I  am  come 
to  send  peace  on  the  earth,  I  came  not  to  send  peace, 
but  a  sword." 

The  real  cause  of  this  warfare,  lies  hid  in  the  en- 
mity of  the  carnal  heart,  and  in  the  influence  which 
Satan  exercises  over  the  minds  of  them  who  believe 
not  the  Truth. 

'^  How  frequently  is  this  verified  in  worldly  families, 
when  any  of  their  members  have  been  brought  to  a  deep 
concern  for  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  No  sweetness  of 
spirit,  no  humility  of  mind,  no  act  of  self-denial,  no  en- 
deavour to  oblige,  can  render  the  obnoxious  individuals 
pleasing  in  the  eyes  of  their  carnal  relatives.  A  frown, 
a  sneer,  or  a  laugh,  is  frequently  employed  to  intimi- 
date or  shame  the  young  believer  in  Jesus.  Some- 
times this  hatred  manifests  itself  by  expulsion  from 
the  paternal  dwelling,  and  exclusion  from  the  father's 
will.  Even  a  mother,  in  her  blinded  enmity  to  the  Truth, 
can  deliver  her  once  beloved  child  into  the  bloody 
arms  of  the  Inquisition.      Superstition,  bigotry,  and 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  9f^ 

and  worldly  hatred,  have  in  all  ages  wasted  the  sheep 
of  Christ. 

Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Ye  shall  be  hated  of 
all  men  for  my  name's  sake.  They  shall  put  you  out 
of  the  synagogues,  yea,  the  time  cometh,  that  whoso- 
ever killeth  you  will  think  he  doeth  God  service  ;  and 
these  things  will  they  do  unto  you,  because  they  have 
not  known  the  Father,  nor  me.  Ye  shall  be  betrayed 
both  by  parents,  and  brethren,  and  kinsfolks,  and 
friends ;  and  some  of  you  shall  they  cause  to  be  put 
to  death.  And  a  man^s  foes  shall  be  they  of  his  own 
household." 

Such  has  been,  and  such  is  the  spirit  of  the  world, 
— a  determination  to  retain  the  forms  of  Christianity, 
and  to  crush  its  power.  The  offence  of  the  cross  has 
not  ceased.  In  many  countries,  where  Papal  dark- 
ness reigns,  the  old  enmity  is  still  in  vigorous  opera- 
tion. The  Man  of  Sin  cannot  endure  the  light  of 
Truth,  nor  those  who  shine  as  lights  in  the  world. 
Even  in  this  favoured  land — this  land  of  Bibles,-— 
from  whence  the  true  light  shines  with  such  a  glorious 
lustre  into  surrounding  nations,^  the  spirit  of  persecu- 
tion is  not  extinct.  It  still  works  in  the  bosom  of  the 
bigoted,,  the  carnal,  and  the  infidel  oppo^er  of  the 
Truth. 

Through  the  mercy  of  our  God  we  have  long  been 
protected  from  open  violence,  and  are  yet  privileged  to 
serve  him  without  bodily  fear.  But  who  can  tell,  how 
soon  the  concealed  evil  may  be  permitted  in  righteous 
judgment  to  break  forth  into  action?  Nothing  but 
Almighty  Power  can  restrain  the  malice  of  Satan  and 


28  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

the  bitter  enmity  of  the  natural  heart.  Are  not  dark 
clouds  gathering  around  us  ?  Do  we  not  hear  the 
awful  sounds  of  an  approaching  storm  ? 

A  persecuting  spirit  is  not  from  above  :  urged  on  by 
the  powers  of  darkness,  it  springs  from  ignorance  of 
the  true  God,  from  pride,  and  from  that  deadly  root  of 
all  evil,  unbelief. 

James  and  John  felt  its  workings,  when  they  de- 
sired that  fire  might  descend  from  heaven,  and  con- 
sume a  Samaritan  village,  because  its  inhabitants  re- 
fused to  receive  their  Divine  Master.  Jesus  rebuked 
them,  and  said ;  "  Ye  know  not  what  manner  of  spirit 
ye  are  of;  for  the  Son  of  Man  is  not  come  to  destroy 
men's  lives,  but  to  save  them." 

This  blinded  state  of  heart,  which  fills  the  earth 
with  misery  and  bloodshed,  was  awfully  displayed  in 
the  spirit  and  conduct  of  Saul.  St.  Luke,  the  inspired 
writer  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  informs  us,  that 
when  Saul  was  a  young  man,  the  clothes  of  those  who 
Stoned  Stephen  were  laid  at  his  feet ;  that  he  consent- 
ed to  the  death  of  this  holy  disciple ;  that  he  made 
havock  of  the  Church,  entering  into  every  house,  and 
haling  men  and  women,  committed  them  to  prison. 

Whether  Saul  was  any  further  engaged  in  the  death 
of  Stephen  does  not  appear.  However,  the  circum- 
stance recorded  by  St.  Luke,  of  his  guarding  the 
clothes  of  his  murderers,  loudly  proclaims  his  appro- 
bation of  the  deed.  liCt  us  never  forget,  that  God 
looks  chiefly  at  the  heart ;  and  if  the  vote  be  passed 
there,  he  writes  the  man  guilty,  though  he  stir  no  far- 
ther.    It  is  easy  to  murder  another  by  a  silent  wish, 


GHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  29 

or  »  passionate  desire,  a»  Jesus  has  declared,  in  his 
searching  Sermon  on^  the  Mount,  and  St.  John,  in  his 

first  Epistle. 

In  all  moral  actions,  whether  good  or  evil,  God  re- 
gards the  will ;  and  accounts  the  man  a  companion  in 
sin,  who,  though  he  may  never  actually  join  in  it,  yet 
inwardly  applauds  and  likes  it. 

The  storm  thus  begun,  increased  rapidly.  A  vio- 
lent persecution  afflicted  and  dispersed  the  Christians 
at  Jerusalem,  who  went  every  where  preaching  the 
Word.  Like  all  the  dispensations  of  God  towards  his 
Church,  it  was  over-ruled  for  the  more  rapid  extension 
of  the  Gospel,  just  as  a  scattered  fire  increases  the 
conflagration. 

The  rage  of  Saul  was  so  fierce  at  this  period,  that, 
in  the  strong  language  of  the  sacred  historian,  he 
breathed  out  threatenings  and  slaughter  against  the 
disciples  of  the  Lord.  Not  satisfied  with  his  own 
anathemas,  he  went  unto  the  high-priest,  and  desired 
of  him  letters  to  Damascus  to  the  synagogues,  that  if 
he  found  any  of  this  way,  whether  they  were  men  or 
women,  he  might  bring  them  to  Jerusalem. 

How  wonderful  is  the  Divine  forbearance.     Truly 

God  is  strong  and  patient.     Though  in  his  wisdom  he 

may  permit  the  persecutor's  fury  to  rage  for  a  season, 

yet,  through  his  power,  he  maketh  the  wrath  of  man 

to  praise  him  ;  and  in  his  love,  he  over-ruleth  all  for 

the  purifying   and  enlargement  of  his   Church.     He 

who  said  to  the  mighty  ocean,  "  Hitherto  shalt  thou 

come,  but  no  further,  and  here  shall  thy  proud  waves 

be  stayed,: — can  order  the  unruly  wills  and  affections 
3* 


30-  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

of  sinful  men.  All  hearts  are  under  the  divine  con- 
trol, and  can  be  chained  or  changed  according  to  His 
purpose,  who  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of 
his  own  Will. 

In  every  age,  God  is  pleased  to  manifest  his  power 
either  in  the  conversion  or  the  destruction  of  sinners ; 
for  He,  who  ruleth  over  all,  must  and  shall  be  feared 
by  all  intelligent  creatures.  Oh  that  the  prayers  of 
his  Church  may  speedily  be  answered,  by  the  ushering 
in  of  that  period  when  His  name  shall  be  hallowed ; 
His  kingdom  come ;  and  His  will  be  done  on  earth, 
as  it  is  in  heaven. 

The  time  was  now  arrived  when  Infinite  Love  pur- 
posed to  make  such  a  manifestation  of  its  glory,  as 
would  fill  heaven  with  joy,  and  earth  with  praise. 
The  enemy  had  come  in  like  a  flood,  but  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  was  about  to  lift  up  a  standard  against  him. 
While  Saul  was  hastening  to  Damascus,  full  of  perse- 
cuting fury,  and  intending  to  strike  a  deadly  blow  at 
the  infant  Church  of  Christ,  thinking  thereby,  "  to  do 
God  service  ;"  Jesus  met  him  in  the  way.  Suddenly 
there  shone  from  heaven  a  great  light  round  about  him, 
above  the  brightness  of  the  sun.  The  fiery  bigot, 
checked  in  his  career,  fell  to  the  earth,  and  heard  a 
voice  saying  unto  him,  "  Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest 
thou  me?  He  said:  Who  art  thou.  Lord?  And  the 
Lord  said :  I  am  Jesus  whom  thou  persecutest.  But 
rise,  and  stand  upon  thy  feet,  for  I  have  appeared  unto 
thee  for  this  purpose,  to  make  thee  a  minister  and  a 
witness  both  of  those  things  which  thou  hast  seen,  and 
of  those  things  in  the  which  I  will  appear  unto  thee  j 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  31 

delivering  thee  from  the  people,  and  from  the  Gentiles, 
unto  whom  now  I  send  thee,  to  open  their  eyes,  and 
to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  unto  God,  that  they  may  receive  for- 
giveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance  among  then/ that  are 
sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me." 

Saul,  trembling  and  astonished,  said,  "  Lord,  what 
wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?  And  the  Lord  said  :  Arise, 
and  go  into  the  city,  and  it  shall  be  told  thee  what  thou 
must  do."  Being  unable  to  see  for  the  glory  of  that 
light,  he  was  led  by  the  hand  of  them  that  were  with 
him,  and  came  to  Damascus. 

What  a  display  of  sovereign  grace  is  here  presented 
to  our  view.  The  bloody  persecutor  now  lies  pros- 
trate at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  Thongh  his  bodily  eyes 
were  darkened,  the  film  of  ignorance  was  removed 
from  his  mind,  the  enmity  of  his  heart  was  destroyed, 
the  strong-holds  of  unbelief  and  pride  were  thrown 
down,  and  he  became  teachable  and  submissive  like  a 
little  child. 

"  Over  the  raging  waves  of  human  will, 

The  Saviour's  Spirit  wailc'd  ;— and  all  was  still." 

Have  we  ever  experienced  this  converting  grace  of 
Jesus  ?  Has  a  divine  light  ever  darted  into  our  minds, 
showing  us,  by  its  irresistible  power,  the  wretchedness 
of  our  condition,  and  the* glory  of  Emmanuel?  Have 
-we  been  brought  in  humble  submission  to  the  foot  of 
the  cross,  and  there  found  pardon,  and  peace,  and  joy, 
and  rest  to  our  souls  ?  Until  this  great  work  be  done, 
we  are  exposed  to  the  curses  of  the  Law,  and  the 
eternal  vengeance  of  a  Holy  God.     But  love  invites 


«{|  GttRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

US  to  his  throne,  and  all  who  touch  the  sceptre  of  hi» 
grace  shall  live. 

To  prepare  the  way  for  Saul's  admission*  into  the 
Christian  Church,  Jesus  appeared  in  a  vision  to  Ana- 
nias,  a  disciple  dwelling  at  Damascus,  and  commanded 
him  to  enquire  in  the  house  of  Judas  for  one  called 
Saul,  that  he  might  put  his  hand  on  him,  and  restore 
him  to  sight.  Ananias,  dreading  the  interview,  re- 
plied,. "  Lord,  I  have  heard  by  many  of  this  man,  how 
much  evil  he  hath  done  to  thy  saints  at  Jerusalem,  and 
here,  he  hath  authority  from  the  chief  priests  to  bind 
all  that  call  on  thy  name."  Jesus  graciously  dissipated 
his  fears :  "  Go  thy  way,  for  he  is  a  chosen  vessel 
unto  me,  to  bear  my  name  before  the  Gentiles,  and 
kings,  and  the  children  of  Israel,  for  I  will  show  him 
how  great  things  he  must  suffer  for  my  name's  sake." 

Then  Ananias  went  his  way,  and  entered  into  the 
house,  and  putting  his  hands  on  him,  said,  "  Brother 
Saul,  the  Lord,  even  Jesus,  that  appeared  unto  thee  in 
the  way  as  thou  camest,  hath  sent  me,  that  thou 
mightest  receive  thy  sight,  and  be  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost.  The  God  of  our  fathers  hath  chosen  thee, 
that  thou  shouldest  know  his  will,  and  see  that  just 
ONE,  and  shouldest  hear  the  voice  of  his  mouth.  For, 
thou  shalt  be  his  witness  unto  all  men,  of  what  thou 
hast  seen  and  heard.  And  now  why  tarriest  thou  ? 
Arise  and  be  baptized,  and  wash  away  thy  sins,  call- 
ing on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  And  immediately  there 
fell  from  his  eyes,  as  it  had  been  scales,  and  he  re- 
ceived sight  forthwith,  and  arose,  and  was  baptized." 

SauI,  thus  adopted  into  the  family  of  God,  through. 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  3B 

faith  in  Jesus,  was  not  disobedient  unto  the  heavenly 
vision :  "  He  straightway  preached  Christ  in  the  syna- 
gogues, that  he  is  the  Son  of  God  ;  showing  first  un- 
to them  at  Damascus,  and  at  Jerusalem,  and  through- 
out all  the  coasts  of  Judea,  and  then  to  the  Gentiles, 
that  they  should  repent  and  turn  to  God,  and  do  works 
meet  for  repentance,  witnessing  both  to  small  and  great, 
saying  none  other  things,  than  those  which  the  Pro- 
phets and  Moses  did  say  should  come ;  that  Christ 
should  suffer,  and  that  he  should  be  the  first  that  should 
rise  from  the  dead,  and  should  show  light  unto  the  peo- 
ple, and  to  the  Gentiles." 

Can  we  then  be  surprised,  that  all  who  heard  him 
preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  ^ould  be 
amazed,  saying  "  Is  not  this  he  that  destroyed  them 
which  called  on  this  name  in  Jerusalem,  and  came 
hither  for  that  intent,  that  he  might  bring  them  bound 
unto  the  chief  priests  ?" 

The  conversion  of  the  heart  to  God  is  the  work  of 
Omnipotence.  It  is  described  in  Scripture  by  the 
boldest  figures,  being  compared  to  a  transition  from 
darkness  to  light,  from  death  to  life  ;  to  a  new  birth, 
and  a  new  creation.  The  heart  of  stone  is  changed 
into  a  heart  of  flesh,  and  the  haughty  rebel  is  convert- 
ed into  an  obedient  child. 

O  let  us  adore  the  infinite  loWng-kindness  of  our 
God  and  Saviour,  who  delighteth  in  mercy,  not  desir- 
ing the  death  of  a  sinner,  but  rather  that  he  should 
turn  from  his  way  and  live. 

Lord !  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him,  or 
the  son  of  man  that  thou  visitest  him.     Wretched  fallen 


34  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

man,  whose  heart  rises  in  rebellion  against  thee,  might 
justly  have  been  left  to  perish  in  his  sins.  But  Oh ! 
how  infinite  is  the  love  which  rescues  us  from  deserv- 
ed woe,  and  raises  us  to  the  highest  seat  in  glory. 

Can  we  meditate  on  this  grace,  and  not  feel  hum- 
bled and  thankful  ■?  Alas  !  so  hard  are  our  hearts,  that 
even  the  agony  and  bloody  sweat,  the  cross  and  pas- 
sion of  our  loving  Saviour,  can  be  viewed  without  emo- 
tion. Grace  alone  can  melt  the  rocky  heart.  Saul 
was  softened,  his  obduracy  was  removed,  and  his 
darkness  dissipated  by  the  beams  of  the  Sun  of  Right- 
eousness. 

Who  then  need  despair,  when  the  bloody  Saul  is 
accepted  and  saved  ?  Oh  !  that  the  Eternal  Spirit  may 
descend  in  all  his  saving  influence  on  this  ruined 
world :  then  will  earth  once  more  resemble  heaven, 
where  Jehovah  is  loved,  and  honoured,  and  obeyed, 
with  constancy  and  delight. 

Lord  f  look  upon  the  covenant  of  peace,  that  bow 
which  surrounds  thy  throne  of  mercy,  for  the  earth  is 
full  of  darkness  and  cruel  habitations.  Stir  up  the 
wills  of  thy  faithful  people,  subdue  the  wills  of  thine 
enemies  ;  draw  all  hearts  to  thyself,  till  all  the  king- 
doms of  this  world  shall  acknowledge  Christ  to  be  the 
Lord. 

The  sacred  historian  informs  us  that  Saul  increased 
the  more  in  strength,  and  confounded  the  Jews  which 
dwelt  at  I>amascus,  proving  that  Jesus  is  very  Christ. 

Thus  his  growth  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
his  God  and  Saviour,  evidenced  the  soundness  of  his 
conversion,  and  the  reality  of  his  faith. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  35 

The  scriptural  evidence  of  saving  faith  is  love, — 
love  to  Christ,  and  love  to  his  people.  How  heart- 
searching  was  the  question  of  Jesus  to  Peter  ;  "  Si- 
mon, son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  ?"  How  distinctive 
the  badge  which  he  has  given  us  of  our  discipleship  , 
"  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples, 
if  ye  have  love  one  to  another." 

The  conversion  of  Saul  of  Tarsus  to  the  faith  of 
the  Gospel,  is  a  standing  testimony  to  the  truth  of 
Christianity ;  and  will  remain  to  the  end  of  time,  a 
monument  of  Almighty  Power. 

With  gratitude,  he  himself  declared  to  the  Gala* 
tian  church  this  act  of  the  divine  sovereignty  ;  "  I  cer- 
tify you,  brethren,  that  the  Gospel  which  was  preach- 
ed of  me,  is  not  after  man.  For  I  neither  received  it 
of  man,  neither  was  I  taught  it,  but  by  the  revelation 
of  Jesus  Christ." 

The  whole  was  from  Him,  who  will  be  gracious 
to  whom  he  will  be  gracious.  God,  who  commanded 
the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  can  also  shine  into 
our  hearts,  to  give  us  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of 
his  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Like  Saul,  we  may  be  zealous  for  our  own  views, 
and  jealous  for  the  interests  of  our  own  party  ;  like 
him,  we  may  blindly  attach  merit  to  a  spirit  of  persecu- 
tion, and  think  to  exterminate  those  who  differ  from  as 
is  to  do  God  service  :  but  is  this  the  spirit  which  should 
dwell  and  rule  in  the  children  of  God  ?  Would  not 
such  a  state  of  heart  prove  us  to  be  carnal,  however 
flaming  our  religious  profession  might  be  ? 

Nothing  could  be  less  prepared  for  a  cordial  recep- 


a6  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

tion  of  the  Gospel  than  the  mind  of  Saul,  when  jour- 
neying toward  Damascus.  At  this  memorable  period 
he  was  utterly  destitute  of  true  repentance  and  saving 
faith.  He  saw  in  Christ  no  beauty  that  he  should  de- 
sire him.  The  Lambs  were  daily  sacrificed  upon  the 
temple-altar,  but  he  never  felt  the  need  of  a  better  sac- 
rifice to  take  away  sin,  and  bring  in  everlasting  righte- 
ousness ; — The  high-priest  entered  every  year  into  the 
holy  place  with  the  blood  of  others,  but  he  never  look- 
ed beyond  the  type  to  the  true  Melchisedec,  whose 
atonement  and  intercession  alone  could  open  the  gates 
of  heaven,  and  procure  for  him  an  admittance  there  ; 
— the  Scriptures  were  read  every  Sabbath-day,  but  to 
him  they  were  a  sealed  book  ; — expecting  a  temporal 
prince,  whose  reign  should  surpass  that  of  David  in 
victories,  and  that  of  Solomon  in  splendour,  he  spurn- 
ed at  the  claims  of  Jesus  of  Nazereth  to  the  office  of 
the  Messiah : — full  of  overweening  thoughts  of  his 
own  excellence,  he  could  not  brook  the  idea  of  being 
saved  through  the  righteousness  of  another,  and  espe- 
cially through  Him  whom  the  rulers  had  condemned 
as  a  malefactor,  and  crucified  between  two  thieves. 
Scrupulously  observant  of  the  letter,  he  was  indiffer- 
ent to  the  spiritual  requirements  of  the  Law.  Hence 
he  felt  no  humbling  convictions  on  account  of  the  in- 
ward workings  of  evil.  His  conscience  was  at  ease, 
so  long  as  he  could  maintain  a  decent  exterior,  and 
enjoy  the  reputation  of  superior  sanctity.  Every  un- 
holy passion,  directed  against  the  Son  of  God,  and  his 
redeemed  people,  was  extolled  as  praise-worthy  zeal 
and  meritorious  service.     The  more  he  wasted  the 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  37 

despised  sect  of  the  Nazarenes,  the  higher  he  rose  in 
his  own  estimation,  and  in  that  of  the  rulers. 

Such  were  the  self-righteous  feelings  of  Saul,  when 
arrested  by  the  blessed  Jesus  in  his  mad  career. 
What  power,  short  of  Omnipotence,  could  have  effect- 
ed so  sudden,  so  great,  so  universal  a  change  !  It  was 
truly  the  work  of  that  Eternal  Word  who  said,  amidst 
the  darkness  of  chaos, — "  Let  there  be  light,  and  there 
was  light."  He  was  made  a  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus  ;  old  things  passed  away,  and  ail  things  became 
new.  His  proud  heart  was  humbled ;  his  breast,  so 
lately  filled  with  rage,  now  overflowed  with  love  ;  his 
mind,  once  so  dark,  was  now  enlightened  to  see  his 
vileness;  and  so  earnest  were  his  cries  for  mercy, 
that  the  Searcher  of  hearts  himself  bore  testimony  to 
his  sincerity,  by  declaring  to  the  fearful  Ananias, — 
"  Behold,  he  prayeth." 

Strictly  moral  in  his  conduct,  and  well  versed  in 
the  traditions  of  the  elders, — zealous  for  God,  and 
ready  to  extinguish  every  spark  of  supposed  heresy ; 
Saul  of  Tarsus,  before  his  conversion,  was  like  the 
whited  sepulchre, — beautiful  to  look  at.  Yet,  with 
all  these  Jewish  attractions,  his  heart  was  not  right 
with  God.  While  he  made  many  and  long  prayers, 
he  never  breathed  the  contrite  sigh ;  while  he  thanked 
God  that  he  was  not  as  other  men,  he  never  cried 
from  a  broken  heart, — "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner." In  this  state  of  blind  unbelief  and  spiritual 
insensibility,  rejecting  the  mercy  of  God,  and  the 
Saviour  of  mankind,  he  would  have  filled  up  the  mea- 
isure  of  his  iniquities,  had  not  sovereign  grace  snatch- 


3&  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ed  him  as  a  brand  from  the  burning,  and  made  him  a 
vessel  unto  honour,  sanctified  and  meet  for  the  Mas- 
ter's use. 

Is  the  case  of  Saul  an  uncommon  one  in  this  our 
day?  Alas!  no.  Thousands  possess  the  Bible,  who 
are  ignorant  of  the  way  of  salvation  through  a  cru- 
cified Redeemer  :  thousands  attend  the  ordinances  of 
the  Gospel,  who  never  feel  its  power :  thousands  are 
very  zealous  for  the  religion  of  their  fathers,  who  yet 
ridicule  such  of  their  brethren,  as  excel  them  in  the 
spirituality  of  their  affections,  and  the  holiness  of 
their  lives. 

During  the  reign  of  Papal  darkness,  what  thousands 
glutted  themselves  with  the  blood  of  the  saints,  and 
with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus,  exulting,  with 
Princes  and  Bishops  over  the  sheep  of  Christ,  re- 
joicing to  see  the  sacred  fires  of  the  Inquisition  lighted 
up,  to  consume  the  bodies  of  the  faithful,  who  pro- 
tested against  the  errors  of  the  Church  of  Rome. 
The  Beast,  though  wounded,  is  not  yet  dead.  The 
ancient  enmity  to  the  light  of  Truth  is  still  in  active 
operation. 

In  every  age,  the  heart  of  man  is  the  same  unvary- 
ing spring  of  evil.  Under  every  covering,  whether 
it  be  that  of  outward  morality,  or  amiability  of  temper, 
it  is  deceitful  above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked. 

Every  garment  of  nature's  weaving,  how  beautiful 
soever  its  texture  or  colouring,  is  too  scanty  wholly  to 
conceal  the  inbred  corruption.  Divine  Truth,  with 
unsparing  hand,  tears  away  the  flimsy  veil,  and  dis- 
covers the  heart  in  all  its  vileness. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE  39 

"  Thou  sayest  I  am  rich  and  increased  with  goods, 
and  have  need  of  nothing,  and  knowest  not  that  thou 
art  wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and 
naked."  But  whilst  he  who  is  the  truth,  thus  ex- 
poses to  herself  the  fallen  church  of  Laodicea,  he 
most  graciously  adds,  "  I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me 
gold  tried  in  the  fire,  that  thou  mayest  be  rich ;  and 
white  raiment  that  thou  mayest  be  clothed,  and  that 
the  shame  of  thy  nakedness  do  not  appear  ;  and 
anoint  thine  eyes  with  eye-salve,  that  thou  mayest 
see." 

This  exposure,  however  humiliating,  was  the  fruit 
of  covenant  love :  "  As  many  as  1  love,  I  rebuke  and 
chasten ;  be  zealous,  therefore,  and  repent."  And 
now,  behold  a  display  of  condescending  mercy,  which 
should  move  every  heart,  and  awaken  every  Christian 
feeling ;  *'  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door,  and  knock  :  if 
any  man  hear  my  voice>  and  open  the  door,  I  will 
come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with 
me."  O !  that  all  may  listen  to  the  voice  of  mercy, 
inviting  the  soul  to  sweet  communion  with  the  Saviour, 
ere  it  be  exchanged  for  the  thunders  of  the  day  of 
Judgment.  Nothing  will  abide  the  fiery  trial,  but  the 
gold  which  Jesus  promises  to  bestow.  True  faith, 
producing  its  happy  fruits,  shall  be  found  unto  praise, 
and  honour,  and  glory,  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus 
Christ,  who,  like  the  refiner's  fire,  shall  try  every 
man's  work,  of  what  sort  it  is.  How  painful  is  the 
thought,  that  the  hearts  of  dying  creatures  should  be 
so.  adverse  from,  that  religion  which  breathes  nothing 


40  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

but  peace  ahd  good-will  toward  mail.  The  religion  of 
Jesus  is  emphatically  the  religion  of  love, — Divine 
Love  embodied  in  its  most  endearing  form.  True  hap- 
piness increases,  as  the  power  of  the  Gospel  in  the 
heart  increases.  The  more  we  resemble  Christ,  in 
his  meekness  and  humility,  in  his  love  and  obedience, 
the  more  we  shall  enjoy  the  presence  of  God,  and 
the  sweeter  anticipations  we  shall  have  of  future 
glory; 

Our  aversion  to  holiness  proves  us  to  be  the  children 
of  the  fall.  Our  nature  is  radically  corrupt.  We  may 
respect  the  decencies  of  religion,  whilst  pride,  yea, 
even  hatred  to  real  godliness,  rankles  in  our  breast. 

Thus  it  was  with  Saul  of  Tarsus,  and  so  it  is  with 
every  merely  nominal  Christian,  who  is  a  stranger  to 
the  plague  of  his  own  heart,  and  has  never  felt  the 
need  of  a  better  righteousness  than  his  own,  to  justify 
him  in  the  sight  of  God. 

There  is  a  little  flock,  saved  by  grace,  to  whom  it 
is  the  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  the  kingdom. 
Saul  was  brought  into  the  fold,  and  so  will  all  who 
betake  themselves,  through  the  Spirit,  to  the  good 
Shepherd. 

Writing  to  these  redeemed  ones,  St.  Jude  gives  this 
affectionate  exhortation  ;  "  But  ye,  beloved,  building 
up  yourselves  on  your  most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  look- 
ing for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto 
eternal  life." 

May  all  who  read  these  pages  drink  deeply  into  the 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  41 

spirit  of  this  apostolic  exhortation,  that  receiving  the 
end  of  their  faith,  even  the  salvation  of  their  souls, 
they  may  join  the  glorified  Church  in  heaven,  in 
ascribing  blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power, 
unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the 
Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever. 

4* 


CHAPTER  III. 

Paul's  humiliating   confession.     The  opposition 
he  met  with  from  the  jews.     his  reception 

AT    JERUSALEM    BY    THE  APOSTLES.       ThE    NATURAL 
ENERGY    OF    HIS    CHARACTER. 

Pride  is  the  great  opposer  of  regenerating  grace,  and 
would,  if  unsubdued,  for  ever  close  the  heart- against 
the  entrance  of  the  Spirit.  By  an  act  of  sovereign 
love,  the  proud  sinner  is  made  sensible  of  his  guilt 
and  helplessness.  The  Spirit,  through  his  convincing 
light,  empties  him  of  all  overweening  thoughts  of  his 
own  righteousness  and  strength ;  while  the  Law,  in 
which  he  trusted,  affords  him  no  shelter  from  the  arm 
of  Justice.  By  its  spirituality  and  extent,  reaching  to 
the  inmost  motions  of  the  will,  the  Law  pronounces 
his  condemnation  ;  and  extorting  from  him  the  anxious 
cry — Whdt  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? — becomes  a  school- 
master to  bring  him  unto  Christ,  that  he  may  be  justi- 
fied by  faith.  Thus,  through  grace  he  renounces  all 
dependance  on  his  own  works,  and  is  resolved  to  be 
saved  in  God's  way,  or  to  perish  at  his  feet. 

Such  were  the  feelings  of  Paul,  now  that  he  was 
baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  made  a  servant  and 
an  Apostle  of  Jesus  Christ. — -Self  was  crucified. — 
With  heart-felt  sorrow  he  confessed  his  guilt,  bore  the 
most  open  testimony  to  the  former  enmity  of  his  heart, 


tfHRIStlAf^  feXPERIEJJdi:.  4B 

and  magnified  that  grace  which  brought  him  out  of 
darkness  into  marvellous  light.  O  happy  change  !  the 
fruit  of  everlasting  love. 

Many  striking  Instances  ate  recorded  of  his  self- 
abasing  acknowledgements. 

When  standing  on  the  stairs  of  a  castle  at  Jerusalem, 
he  said  to  the  infuriated  multitude,  who  were  ready  to 
learhim  in  pieces  for  his  boldness  in  preaching  Christ, 
as  the  King  and  Redeemerdf  Israel ;  "  I  persecuted 
this  way  unto  death,  binding  and  delivering  into  prisons 
both  men  and  women,  as  also  the  high-priest  dothbesftr 
me  witness,  and  all  thfe  estate  t)f  th€  elders,  from 
whom  also  I  received  letters  unto  the  brethren,  and 
went  to  Damascus  to  bring  them  which  were  there, 
bound  to  Jerusalem  for  to  be  punished." 

With  this  usual  sincerity,  when  pleading  his  cause 
before  King  Agrippa,  he  unhesitatingly  declared,  "1 
thought  with  myself,  that  I  ought  to  do  many  things 
contrary  to  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  which 
things  I  also  did  in  Jerusalerti ;  and  many  of  the  saints 
did  I  shut  up  in  prison,  having  received  authority  from 
the  chief  priests  ;  and  when  they  wefe  put  to  death, 
I  gave  my  voice  against  them  ;  and  1  punished  them 
oft  in  every  synagogue,  and  compelled  them  to  blas- 
pheme, and  being  exceedingly  mad  against  them,  I 
persecuted  them,  even  unto  strange  cities." 

To  the  Galatian  converts,  he  told  the  same  humilia- 
ting history  ;  ''  Ye  have  heard  of  my  conversation  in 
time  past  in  the  Jews'  religion,  how  that  beyond  mea- 
sure I  persecuted  the  Church  of  God,  and  wasted  it." 

In  his  Epistles  to  the  Christians  -at  Corinth,  he  thns 


<4  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

abases  himself ;  I  am  the  least  of  the  Apostles,  that 
am  not  meet  to  be  called  an  Apostle,  because  I  perse- 
cuted the  Church  of  God." 

Enumerating  to  the  believers  at  Philippi  his  Phari- 
saical merits,  of  which  he  was  once  so  proud,  he  ranks: 
as  one  of  their  number,  "  his  zeal  in  persecuting  the 
Church." 

To  the  Ephesians,  in  a  strain  of  sweet  humility,  he- 
thus  extols  his  grace  which  was  so-  richly  manifested' 
in  his  conversion  ;  "  I  was  made  a  minister,  according 
to  the  gift  of  the  grace  of  God,  given  unto  me  by  the 
effectual  working  of  his  power.  Fnto  me,  who  am: 
less  than  the  least  of  all  saints,  is  this  grace  given, 
that  I  should  preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ." 

How  beautiful  is  true  humility ;  it  is  the  very  image 
of  Jesus.  This  heavenly  grace  gives  such  a  sweet- 
ness to  him  who  possesses  it,  that  even  the  world  at- 
tempts to  imitate  so  lovely  an  attainment.  The  essen- 
tial difference  between  Christian  and  counterfeit  hu- 
mility is  soon  discovered,  by  the  patient  endurance  of 
the  one,  and  the  irascible  nature  of  the  other. 

The  haughty  Saul,  when  he  became  a  Christian, 
was  humbled  by  every  view  of  himself :  but  his  hu- 
mility was  blended  with  gratitude,  as  is  beautifully 
instanced  in  his  Epistle  to  Timothy  :  "  I  thank  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord,  who  hath  enabled  me,  for  that  he 
counted  me  faithful,  putting  me  into  the  ministry,  wha 
was  before  a  blasphemer,  and  a  persecutor,  and  inju- 
rious :  but  I  obtained  mercy,  because  I  did  it  ignorant- 
ly  in  unbelief ;  and  the  grace  of  our  Lord  was  exceed*- 


tHRlSTlAN   EXFlSRi'ENeiE.  45 

ih^  abundant  in  faith  and  love  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acrceptation, 
that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners, 
of  whom  1  am  the  chief.  Howheit,  for  this  cause  I 
obtained  mercy,  that  in  me  first,  Jesus  Christ  might 
show  forth  all  long-suffering,  for  a  pattern  to  them 
which  should  hereafter  believe  on  him  to  life  ever- 
lasting. 

After  this  exhibition  of  free  unmerited  mercy,  no  poor 
sinner  need  despair.  To  the  heavy  laden  soul  crying 
out  for  help,  the  converted  Saul  gives  the  cheering  in** 
telligence,  "  Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
thou  shalt  be  saved." 

How  blessed  is  the  assurance,  that  with  the  Lord 
there  is  mercy,  that  with  him  there  is  plenteous  re>- 
demption.  Delightful  truth  !  He  is  good  and  ready 
to  forgive,  full  of  compassion  and  gracious,  long-suffer- 
ing, and  plenteous  in  mercy  and  truth.  Happy  then 
is  the  man  who  hath  the  God  of  Jacob  for  his  help, 
whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his  God ;  for  the  Lord  tak^ 
eth  pleasure  in  them  that  fear  him,  in  those  that  hope 
in  his  mercy.  What  cati  exceed  the  richness  of  this 
divine  promise,  made  to  eveiy  humble  believer  in  Je- 
sus :  "  Because  he  hath  set  his  love  upon  me,  there- 
fore will  I  deliver  him,  I  will  set  him  on  high,  because 
he  hath  known  my  name.  He  shall  call  upon  me,  and 
I  will  answer  him.  I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble  ;  I 
will  deliver  and  honour  him ;  with  long  life  will  I  sat- 
isfy him,  and  show  him  my  salvation." 

As  Paul,  like  a  ravenous  wolf,  devoured  the  sheep 
t)f  Christy  so  he  himself,  when  made  one  of  the  Ssk* 


46  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

viour's  flock,  became  the  object  of  bitter  persecution. 
How  true  it  is,  that  all  who  will  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution.  Even  natural  affection 
cannot  restrain  the  violence  of  this  deep-seated  enmity 
against  Christ  and  his  people  ;  for,  *'  the  brother  shall 
deliver  up  the  brother  to  death,  and  the  father  the 
,  child  ;  and  the  children  shall  rise  up  against  their  pa- 
rents, and  cause  them  to  be  put  to  death." 

With  what  faithfulness  did  Jesus  forewarn  his  dis- 
ciples, that  through  much  tribulation  they  must  enter 
the  kingdom.  But,  did  he  leave  them  comfortless  ? 
Oh !  how  gracious  are  his  parting  words  :  "  These 
things  have  I  spoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  ye  might 
have  peace.  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation  ; 
but  be  of  good  cheer,  I  have  overcome  the  world." 

"  After  that  many  days  were  fulfilled,"  the  sacred 
historian  informs  us,  "  the  Jews  at  Damascus  took  coun- 
sel to  kill  Saul."  They  watched  the  gates  of  the  ci- 
ty day  and  night,  so  intent  were  they  upon  accomplish- 
ing their  purpose.  But  their  laying  wait  was  known 
of  Saul,  the  disciples  took  him  by  night,  and  let  him 
down  by  the  wall  in  a  basket^  by  which  means  he  es- 
caped out  of  their  hands. 

How  secure  is  the  believer  in  Jesus.  "  As  the 
mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem,  so  the  Lord  is 
round  about  his  people.  Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Isra- 
el shall  neither  slumber  nor  sleep.** 

Jesus  guarded  the  life  of  his  servant,  to  whom  he 
had  appointed  a  great  and  glorious  work.  He  could 
therefore  say  to  King  Agrippa ;  "  Having  obtained 
help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  day."    Blessed  are  they, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  47 

who  are  actively  engaged  in  the  Lord's  service  ;  they 
may  have  many  trials  by  the  way,  but  He,  who  for 
their  sakes  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame, 
will  uphold  them  by  his  grace,  and  at  length  give  them 
a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away. 

We  might  naturally  expect,  that  a  powerful  opposi- 
tion would  be  excited  against  a  man,  whose  conversion 
to  the  faith  of  Christ  afforded  such  an  overpowering 
evidence  to  the  truth  of  Christianity,  and  whose  holy 
conversation  in  Christ  condemned  the  worldliness  of 
the  Priests  and  Pharisees. 

The  more  St.  Paul,  by  his  life  and  doctrine,  de- 
monstrated the  power  and  excellency  of  the  Gospel, 
the  more  inveterate  was  the  enmity  manifested  against 
him. — The  minds  of  the  Jews,  as  a  nation,  were  judi- 
cially blinded.  They  knew  not  the  day  of  their  vi- 
sitation. The  Lord  would  have  gathered  them,  as  a 
hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  they 
would  not.  Their  language  towards  Jesus  was  ;  "  We 
will  not  have  this  man  to  reign  over  us." — And  to  his 
faithful  servant ;  "  Away  with  such  a  fellow  from  the 
earth  ;  for  it  is  not  fit  that  he  should  live." — No  argu- 
ments could  convince  them,  no  reasoning  could  per- 
suade them,  no  miracles,  wrought  before  their  eyes, 
could  remove  the  stubbornness  of  their  unbelief.  No- 
thing, no  nothing  but  the  Almighty  Power  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  could  bring  them,  as  humble  penitents,  to  the 
foot  of  the  cross,  make  them  to  rejoice  in  the  atone- 
ment of  Jesus,  and  cause  them  to  glorify  God,  by  an 
entire  submission  to  his  will. 

"  Even  unto  this  day,  when  Moses  is  read,  the  vail 


48  CHTIISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

is  upon  their  heart,  nevertheless,  when  it  shall  turn  ta 
the  Lord,  the  vail  shall  be  taken  away."  When  that 
reviving  period  shall  arrive,  a  new  impulse  will  be 
given  to  the  Christian  Church  ;  and  the  knowledge  of 
the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover 
the  sea. 

In  reading  the  history  of  the  infant  Church,  we 
might  naturally  expect  that  the  disciples,  on  hearing  of 
the  conversion  of  Saul,  would  instantly  hail  it,  as  a 
glorious  triumph  of  Christianity.  But  how  faithfully 
does  the  sacred  historian  describe  the  feelings  of  the 
primitive  Christians,  who,  knowing  that  Satan  can 
transform  himself  into  an  angel  of  light,  the  more  ef- 
fectually to  deceive  and  to  destroy,  dreaded  lest  they 
should  be  betrayed  under  the  mask  of  friendship. 

*'  When  Saul  was  come  to  Jerusalem,  he  assayed  to 
join  himself  to  the  disciples,  but  they  were  all  afraid 
of  him,  and  believed  not  that  he  was  a  disciple.  But 
Barnabas  took  him,  and  brought  him  to  the  Apostles, 
and  declared  unto  them,  how  he  had  seen  the  Lord  in 
the  way,  and  that  he  had  spoken  to  him,  and  how  he 
had  preached  boldly  at  Damascus  in  the  name  of 
Jesus." 

What  could  be  more  natural,  than  that  Saul,  having 
tasted  the  grace  of  Jesus,  should  be  anxious  to  join 
himself  to  his  beloved  people. 

The  Apostle  mentions  this  visit  to  Jerusalem,  in  his 
Epistle  to  the  Galatians  :  "  When  it  pleased  God  who 
separated  me  from  my  mother's  womb,  and  called  me 
by  his  grace,  to  reveal  his  Son  in  me,  that  I  might 
preach  him  among  the  heathen,  immediately  I  con- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  49 

fenred  not  with  flesh  and  blood ;  neither  went  I  up  to 
Jerusalem,  to  th«m  which  were  Apostles  before  me  ; 
but  I  went  into  Arabia,  and  returned  again  to  Damas- 
cus. Then,  after  three  years,  I  went  up  to  Jerusalem 
to  see  Peter,  and  abode  with  him  fifteen  days.  But 
other  of  the  Apostles  saw  1  none,  save  James  the 
Lord's  brother.  Afterwards  I  came  into  the  region  of 
Syria  and  Cicilia,  and  was  unknown  by  face  unto  the 
churches  of  Judea  which  were  in  Christ.  But  they 
had  heard  only,  that  he  which  persecuted  us  in  time 
past,  now  preach^th  the  faith  which  once  he  destroyed^ 
and  they  glorified  God  in  me." 

When  Saul  first  introduced  himself  to  the  churcK 
of  Jerusalem-,  in  the  new  character  of  an  Apostle,  we 
cannot  be  surprised  at  the  tardy  reception  he  met  with, 
as  the  disciples  would  well  remember  the  caution 
given  to  them  by  their  Divine  Master — "  Beware  of 
false  prophets,  which  come  to  you  in  sheep's  clothing, 
but  inwardly  they  are  ravening  wolves." 

How  exactly  does  this  accord  with  our  own  experr- 
■ence.  Any  sudden  change  of  character  generally  ex- 
cites a  degree  of  suspicion  in  our  minds,  and  make* 
us  cautious,  lest,  by  coming  too  hastily  to  a  favourable 
decision,  we  should  become  the  dupes  of  artful  decep- 
tion ;  and  more  especially,  if  an  avowed  enemy,  sud- 
denly professes  himself  to  hs  our  friend. 

But,  if  there  be  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels 
of  God  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  is  there  no  feel- 
ing of  delight  in  the  hearts  of  believers,  when  sinners, 
and  especially  persecutors,  are  converted  to  the  faith 
of  Christ?  Assuredly  there  is,^and  such  holy  joy 
5 


50  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

was  experienced  by  the  saints  at  Jerusalem,  when 
Barnabas  had  dissipated  their  fears,  by  bearing  witness 
to  the  grace  of  Jesus  manifested  towards  this  bloody 
persecutor.  The  Apostles  admitted  Paul  to  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  saints  ;  they  rejoiced  over  him  ;  he  was 
with  them  coming  in,  and  going  out,  of  Jerusalem; 
and  in  their  Epistle  to  the  Gentile  converts  on  the 
subject  of  circumcision,  they  styled  him  and  Barna- 
bas ;  "  Beloved, — chosen  men,  who  had  hazarded  their 
lives  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus." — Thus  they 
bore  testimony  to  the  truth  of  his  conversion ;  and 
they  glorified  God  in  him. 

During  his  stay  at  Jerusalem,  the  zealous  Paul  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  work  to  which  Jesus  had  ap- 
pointed him. — He  spake  boldly  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  disputed  against  the  Grecians  ;  but  so 
violent  was  their  enmity  to  the  Truth,  that  they  went 
about  to  slay  him  ;  which,  when  the  brethren  knew, 
they  brought  him  down  to  Caesarea,  and  sent  him 
forth  to  Tarsus.  "  Then  had  the  churches  rest 
throughout  all  Judaea,  and  Galilee,  and  Samaria,  and 
were  edified  :  and  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and 
in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  were  multiplied." 

The  blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the  Church. 
This  ancient  aphorism,  founded  upon  experience, 
proves  the  truth  of  David's  declaration ;  "  God  is  in 
the  midst  of  her  ;  she  shall  not  be  moved  :  God  shall 
help  her,  and  that  right  early." 

The  disciples,  who  were  scattered  abroad  upon  the 
persecution  that  arose  about  Stephen,  went  every  where 
preaching  the  word.     Philip  went  down  to  the  city 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  61 

of  Samaria,  and  preached  Christ  unto  them,  and  there 
was  great  joy  in  that  city.  Many  travelled  as  far  as 
Phenice,  and  Cyprus,  and  Antioch,  preaching  the  word 
to  none  but  unto  the  Jews  only.  Some  of  them  were 
men  of  Cyprus  and  Cyrene,  who,  when  they  were 
come  to  Antioch,  spake  unto  the  Grecians,  preaching 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with 
them;  and  a  great  number  believed,  and  turned  unto 
the  Lord. 

When  tidings  of  these  things  came  unto  the  ears  of 
the  church  which  was  in  Jerusalem,  the  hearts  of  the 
disciples  overflowed  with  joy.  Being  anxious  tO  as- 
certain the  reality  of  these  conversions,  they  sent  forth 
Barnabas,  that  he  should  go  as  far  as  Antioch.  This 
good  man,  who  was  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of 
faith,  gladly  undertook  the  journey.  When  he  came 
to  Antioch,  and  saw  the  grace  of  God,  as  displayed  in 
the  spirit  and  conduct  of  these  converts  to  the  Truth, 
who  were  first  honoured  by  the  name  of  Christian,  he 
was  glad,  and  exhorted  them  all  that  with  purpose  of 
heart,  they  would  cleave  unto  the  Lord.  His  visit  and 
labours  were  greatly  blessed  ;  for  much  people  was 
added  unto  the  Lord.  O  that  we  could  now  behold  a 
renewal  of  these  gracious  manifestations  of  the  Spirit ; 
that  this  ancient  promise  might  now  be  experienced  in 
all  its  fulness, — "  I  will  cause  the  shower  to  come 
down  in  his  season  ;  there  shall  be  a  shower  of  bless- 
ings."— May  we  never  cease  to  pray,  till  God  shall 
make  our  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth. 

Christian  love  is  of  a  peculiarly  cementing  nature  ; 
it  binds  those  together  by  the  sweetest  ties  whose 


52  CHRISTIAN    BXPERIENCB. 

hearts  are  filled  with  the  Spirit  of  Jesus.  This 
uniting  love  was  felt  in  all  its  delightful  inftuence  by 
the  early  Christians,  whose  trials  and  consolations 
were  derived  from  the  same  sources.  From  the  world, 
they  experienced  contempt  and  persecution ;  from 
Christ  their  Divine  Saviour,  they  received  strength 
and  peace. 

This  union  of  heart  was  enjoyed  by  Barnabas  and 
Paul,  whose  lives  were  now  devoted  to  the  glory  of  the 
Redeemer.  Having  introduced  Paul  to  the  church  at 
Jerusalem,  and  feeling  his  heart  kn-it  to  this  monument 
of  the  Saviour's  grace,  Barnabas  was  desirous  to  have 
him  as  a  fellow-labourer.  He,  therefore,  departed  te 
Tarsus,  where  Paul  had  been  sent  by  the  brethren  to 
escape  the  fury  of  the  Jews  ;  and  when  he  had  found 
him,  he  brought  him  unto  Antioch. 

For  a  whole  year,  these  honoured  servants  of  Christ, 
assembled  themselves  with  the  Church,  and  taught 
much  people.  Paul,  being  called  by  special  grace  to 
the  apostolic  office,  was  not  permitted  to  remain  in  ob- 
scurity. He  was  a  chosen  vessel,  and  had  a  great 
work  to  do.  Jesus,  therefore  brought  him  into  his 
vineyard,  which  the  Apostle  cultivated  with  unwearied 
labour,  and  watered  with  many  prayers  and  tears. 

When  the  Lord  bestows  his  gifts,  he  designs  them 
for  use,  and  not  for  idle  display.  The  faith  which  he 
gives,  is  a  working  faith,  and  must  be  tried.  The  pa- 
tience which  he  imparts,  must  have  its  perfect  work. 
Thus  wrote  St.  James  to  the  twelve  tribes  who  were 
scattered  abroad  ;  "  Brethren,  count  it  all  joy,  when  ye 
fall  into,  divers  temptations,  knowing  this,  that  the- try- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  53 

ing  of  your  faith  worketh  patience  ;  but  let  patience 
have  her  perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and 
entire,  wanting  nothing." 

O  what  an  honour  does  God  put  upon  poor  mortals, 
when  he  employs  them  in  his  service.  The  highest 
archangel  derives  his  honour  and  happiness,  from  ful- 
filling, without  any  mixture  of  sin,  the  commands  of 
the  Almighty.  Jesus,  who  is  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Father,  has  taught  us  to  pray,  "  Thy  will  be  done  on 
earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven."  Were  our  views  of  Jeho- 
vah's greatness  and  glory,  such  as  they  will  be  when 
we  see  him  as  he  is,  how  mean  would  every  human 
distinction  appear,  compared  with  that  honour  which 
rests  upon  the  saints  of  the  Most  High. 

Shall  a  worm  of  the  earth,  a  rebel  sinner,  a  hell- 
deserving  creature,  be  made  a  child  of  God ;  yea,  an 
heir  of  God  through  Christ?  Nothing  but  infinite 
Wisdom  could  have  devised- — nothing  but  infinite  Pow- 
er could  have  effected, — nothing  but  infinite  Love 
could  have  revealed,  and  applied,  in  all  its  fulness,  so 
vast  a  blessing.  Darkness,  despair,  and  destruction 
would  have  overwhelmed  our  apostate  race,  had  not 
infinite  Mercy  rejoiced  against  judgment,  through  the 
atoning  blood  of  the  Lamb  of  God. 

With  never-ceasing  delight  Paul  and  Barnabas  de- 
clared these  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  the  listening 
crowds  at  Antioch.  They  spoke  from  the  heart,  to  the 
heart,  having  themselves  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gra- 
cious, and  living  in  the  daily  enjoyment  of  his  pre- 
sence, through  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  O 
that  our  hearts  felt  this  glow  of  holy  love,  which 
5* 


54  CHRISTIAN    EJCPERIENCF. 

rendered  the  primitive  believers  so  abundantly  usefiij, 
and  caused  them  to  shine  as  lights  in  the  world. 

In  tracing  the  life  and  character  of  St.  Paul,  there 
is  one  feature  of  peculiar  prominence,  which  cannot 
fail  to  strike  every  attentive  observer — the  natural 
energy  of  his  mind.  He  pursued  no  half  measures,  he 
entered  into  no  cold  calculations  ;  what  he  did,  he  did 
with  all  his  heart.  This  he  intimated,  when  pleading 
before  King  Agrippa  ;  "  1  verily  thought  with  myself, 
that  I  ought  to  do  many  things  contrary  to  the  name  of 
Jesus  of  Nazareth ;" — and  he  fuHy  acted  upon  that 
conviction. 

Being  dark  in  his  views  of  prophetic  truth  respect- 
ing the  Messiah,  he  stumbled  at  that  Stone  which 
God  had  laid  in  Zion.  Jesus  was  to  him  a  rock  of 
offence.  Hence  all  his  enrergies  were  called  into  ac-. 
tion  to  suppress  the  growing  Church  of  Christ,  and  to 
silence  those  who  proclaimed  Jesus  as  the  Son  of  God, 
and  the  Saviour  of  the  world:  But,  when  enlightened 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  see  the  glory  of  Emmanuel,  and, 
to  behold  in  the  virgin's  Son,  the  Mighty  God,  the 
Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace ;  a  total 
change  took  place  within  him.  His  native  energies 
were  then  directed' into  anew  channel.  Being  brought 
under  the  influence  of  holy  love,  his  ardour,  though 
unquenchable,  was  tempered  by  mildness. 

With  incessant  toil  he  laboured  to  promote  the  cause 
of  his  beloved  Saviour,  esteeming  no  sacrifice  too 
great  to  advance  his  kingdom.  Forbearance  and  cha- 
rity shed  their  sweetness  over  his  character,  while  de- 
oisioa  and  courage  proved  the  firmness  of  his  faith.. 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  55' 

He  was  truly  a  burning  and  a  shining  light ; — a  city 
set  on  a  hill,  which  could  not  be  hid. 

The  sacred  historian  records  several  instances  of 
his  boldness  in  declaring  the  truth  of  the  Gospel. 

At  Jerusalem,  as  we  have  already  seen,  he  spake 
boldly  in  the  name  of  the  Lord:  Jesus,  and  disputed 
against  the  Grecians. 

At  Antioch,  Paul  and  Barnabas  waxed  bold,  and' 
said,  "  It  was  necessary  that  the  word  of  God  should 
first  have  been  spoken,  to  you,  but.  seeing  ye  put  it 
from  you,  and  judge  yourselves  unworthy  of  everlast- 
ing life^  lo,  we  turn<  to  the  Gentiles." 

At  IcoNiUM  they  abode  long  time^  speaking  boldly 
i«  the  Lord,  who  gave  testimony  unto  the  word  of  his 
grace,  and  granted  signs,  and  wonders, to  be  done  by. 
their  handss 

At  Ephesus,  Paul  went  into  the  synagogue,  and 
spake  boldly  for  the  space  of  three  months,  disputing 
and  persuading  the  things  concerning  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

Luke warraness  and  faintrheartedhess  are  traitors  in 
the  camp  of  Israel,  and  do  more  to  weaken  the  cause 
of  truth  than  the  fiercest  opposition,  from  its  determined 
enemies.. 

Faith  and  love^.  patience  and  prayer,  are  mighty 
weapons  in  the  hand  of  the  Spirit.  The  weakest 
saint,  when  exercising  these  graces,  shall  come  off 
more  than  conqueror  over  the  powers  of  darkness. 

The  reason  why  so  many  shrink  from  suffering 
for  Christ's  sake,  arises  from  the  coldness  of  their 
U>ve.     Their,  faith,  being  weak,. cannot  bear  them  up. 


56  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

against  that  stream  of  persecution  which  so  powerfully 
sets  in  against  them.  Through  fear,  they  yield  to  the 
attacks  of  the  enemy,  and  thus  bring  distress  into  their 
consciences,  as  well  as  discredit  on  the  Gospel.  The 
realities  of  Eternity  seem  to  be  forgotten ;  or,  at  least, 
but  faintly  impressed  upon  their  minds.  Looking  more 
at  present  inconveniences  connected  with  a  bold  at- 
tachment to  Christ,  than  at  the  glories  to  be  revealed, 
they  flag  in  their  Christian  course,  and  would  for  ever 
perish,  if  not  restored  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

The  undaunted  Apostle  was  a  stranger  to  that  fear 
of  man  which  bringeth  a  snare,  and  causes  multitudes 
Id  shrink  from  the  cross.  St.  Paul  being  convinced 
of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  through  the  immediate 
teaching  of  his  divine  Saviour,  and  the  inward  witness 
of  the  Spirit,  feared  not  the  face  of  man,  nor  the  fury 
of  the  oppressor.  Whether  in  Jerusalem,  amidst  the 
bigoted  Jews,  or  at  Athens,  among  the  philosophers  of 
the  age,  he  gloried  in  the  cross  of  Christ ;  and  drew 
all  his  peace  and  joy  from  a  believing  reliance  on  the 
power  and  grace  of  Jesus. 

The  poison  of  popularity,  the  prospect  of  some  tem- 
poral advantage,  a  false  shame,  the  love  of  ease,  a 
dread  of  suffering,  in  a  word,  the  love  of  the  world, 
concentrating  all  these  evils  within  itself,  causes  many 
a  minister  of  the  Gospel  to  betray  his  trust,  and  many 
a  promising  professor  to  droop  and  wither. 

Faith  in  the  atonement  of  Christ,  is  the  victory  that 
overcometh  the  world.  This  divine  principle  made 
the   faithful   Apostle   always   to    triumph    in   Christ.. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  57 

Through  the  power  of  the  cross,  the  world  had  lost  its 
charms,  and  death  its.  terrors.  A  heavenly  light  filled 
his  mind,  and  an  all-constraining  love  his  heart.  He 
saw  in  Jesus,  all  that  was  precious,,  and  he  found  in 
him  all  that  he  needed;  hence  he  disregarded  the 
frowns  of  men,  and  was  willing  to  bear  shame  and  re- 
proach for  Jesus'  sake.  Being  filled  with  the  Spirit, 
he  preached  the  word  of  life  with  the  fullest  confi- 
dence of  success;  well  knowing,  that  through  the 
combined  power  of  Truth  and  Love,  the  stoutest 
hearts  would  be  humbled,  the  hardest  softened,  and 
the  most  polluted  rendered  pure.. 

When  Jesus  was  seated  at  the  right-hand  of  tho 
Father,  in  fulfilment  of  his  promise,,  he  graciously- 
poured  out  the  Holy  Ghost  on  his,  Apostles.  With 
Ihis  Divine  unction,  they  went  forth  to  proclaim  tho 
glad  tidings  of  salvation  ;  and  nothing  could  exceed 
the  fortitude  which  they  displayed.  Their  courage 
astonished  the  Jewish  rulers  ;  of  whom  it  is  recorded, 
that,  "  when  they  saw  the  boldness  of  Peter  and  John, 
and  perceived  that  they  were  unlearned  and  ignorant 
men,  they  marvelled,  and  took  knowledge  of  them  that 
they  had  been  with  Jesus." 

To  encourage  his  disciples  before  his  departure, 
Jesus  said,  "  Hitherto  ye  have  asked  nothing  in  my 
name  ;  ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,,  that  your  joy  may  be 
full."  Being  now  as  sheep  in  the  midst  of  wolves, 
they  needed  strength  and  protection. t— With  a  believ- 
ing reliance,  on  this  promise,  they  lifted  up  their  voice 
to  God  with  one  accord  :  "  Lord,  thou  art  God,  which 
tiast  made  k^ay^n,  and  earth,  and  the  sea,  and  all  tha^ 


$d  CHRTS'HAN  EXPERIENCE* 

in  them  is. — Of  a  truth  against  thy  holy  child  Jesus, 
whom  thou  hast  anointed,  both  Herod  and  Pontius  Pi- 
late, with  the  Gentiles  and  the  people  of  Israel,  were 
gathered  together,  for  to  do  whatsoever  thy  hand  and 
thy  counsel  determined  before  to  be  done.  And  now 
Lord,  behold  their  threatenings  :  and  grant  unto  thy 
servants,  that  with  all  boldness  they  may  speak  thy 
word.  And  when  they  had  prayed,  the  place  was 
shaken  where  they  were  assembled  together  ;  and  they 
were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  they  spake 
the  word  of  God  with  boldness." 

It  may  well  be  said,  that  the  prayer  of  faith  moves 
the  hand  that  moves  the  world. 

Happy,  thrice  happy  would  it  be  for  the  Christian 
Church,  if  all  her  ministers  were  men  of  a  kindred 
spirit,  who,  in  the  fulness  of  their  faith  and  love,  could 
sacrifice  reputation,  ease,  wealth,  yea,  even  life  itself, 
for  the  Gospel's  sake. — But  alas!  the  spirit  of  the 
world  has  made  sad  inroads  into  the  visible  Church  of 
Christ ;  for  many  are  slumbering  on  the  lap  of  ease, 
who  should  be  watchmen  on  the  walls,  and  champions 
in  the  camp,  of  Zion. 

Still,  there  are  many  blessed  witnesses,  who  are 
valiant  for  the  Truth,  whose  light  shines  in  the  midst 
of  darkness,  and  whose  labours  are  rendered  effectual 
in  spreading  the  knowledge  of  Christ.  May  their 
numbers  be  abundantly  increased,  till  Zion  shall  be- 
come a  praise  in  the  earth. 

To  every  such  faithful  labourer,  St.  Paul  gives  this 
most  important  charge  ;  "  Be  thou  an  example  of  the 
believers,  in  word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  59 

in  faith,  in  purity.  Give  attendance  to  reading,  to  ex- 
hortation, to  doctrine.  Meditate  upon  these  things; 
give  thyself  w^holly  to  them,  that  thy  profiting  may  ap- 
pear unto  all.  Take  heed  unto  thyself,  and  unto  the 
doctrine ;  continue  in  them ;  for  in  doing  this,  thou 
fihalt  both  save  thyself,  and  them  that  hear  thee." 

How  rousing  was  the  Divine  commission  given  by 
Jehovah  to  his  servant  Jeremiah  ;  "  Gird  up  thy  loins, 
and  arise,  and  speak  to  them  all  that  I  command  thee  : 
be  not  dismayed  at  their  faces,  lest  I  confound  thee 
before  them.  They  shall  fight  against  thee  ;  but  they 
shall  not  prevail  against  thee,  for  I  am  with  thee,  sailh 
the  Lord,  to  deliver  thee." 

With  equal  force  is  the  command  to  Ezekiel ;  "  Son 
of  man,  be  not  afraid  of  them,  neither  be  afraid  of 
their  words,  though  briers  and  thorns  be  with  thee,  and 
thou  dost  dwell  among  scorpions  :  be  not  afraid  of  their 
words,  nor  be  dismayed  at  their  looks,  though  they  be 
a  rebellious  house.  Thou  shalt  speak  my  words  unto 
them,  whether  they  will  hear,  or  whether  they  will 
forbear ;  for  they  are  most  rebellious." 

The  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  entered  fully  into 
the  spirit  of  these  Divine  charges.  He  was  no  timid, 
no  time-serving  shepherd  of  the  flock.  His  character 
is  beautifully  described  by  Malachi,  under  the  general 
description  of  faithful  pastors  ;  "  The  law  of  truth  was 
in  his  mouth,  and  iniquity  was  not  found  in  his  lips  : 
he  walked  in  peace  and  equity,  and  did  turn  many 
away  from  their  iniquity.  For  the  priest's  lips  should 
keep  knowledge,  and  they  should  seek  the  law  at  his 
mouth,  for  he  is  the  messenger  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts.'' 


60     V  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

May  all  the  friends  of  Christ  be  stirred  up  to  fervent 
prayer  at  this  eventful  period,  that  a  spirit  of  revival 
may  be  poured  out  on  all  our  Churches,  lest  the  Lord, 
in  righteous  judgment,  should  fulfil  on  us,  his  threaten- 
ing to  the  church  at  Ephesus ;  "  Remember  from 
Mrhence  thou  art  fallen ;  and  repent,  and  do  the  first 
works  ;  or  else  I  will  come  unto  thee  quickly,  and  will 
remove  thy  candlestick  out  of  his  place,  except  thou 
xepent." 

♦  •'  In  pity  to  a  dying  world, 

Almighty  Eather,  send  thy  grace ; 
And  let  thy  banner  be  unfurled, 
And  faith's  slow  triumph  speed  its  spate. 

"  What  millions  of  immortal  souls, 
"Still  live  unmindful  of  thy  sway 
And  as  death's  fearful  torrent  rolls, 
Hundreds  are  daily  swept  away. 

^'  O  Lord,  must  creatures  be  undone. 

Who  from  thy  hand  receive  their  breath  t 
Shall  they  be  lost,  for  whom  thy  Son, 
Came  down  to  suffer  shame  and  death  ? 

•'  Let  sovereign  mercy  interpose. 

To  rescue  sinners  from  their  doom  ; 

And  send  thy  Word  to  heal  their  woes^ 

And  light  their  passage  to  the  tomb. 

"  O  spread  thy  Truth  through  ev'ry  clime, 
Teach  stubborn  souls  to  weep  and  pray  j 
Let  this  be  the  accepted  time, 
And  this  salvation's  glorious  day. " 


CHAPTER  IV. 

An  account  of  the  persecutions  which  st.  Paul 
endured  for  the  sake  of  the  gospel. 

When  Daniel  stood  before  Nebuchadnezzar  to  explain 
his  dream,  he  shunned  not  to  declare  the  whole  coun- 
sel of  God)  however  galling  it  might  be  to  the  ambition 
of  this  haughty  conqueror.  He  told  him  of  the  fleet- 
ing nature  of  his  own  dominion ;  that  empire  would 
succeed  empire,  till  the  period  of  the  fourth  monarchy 
should  arrive,  when  the  God  of  Heaven  would  set  up 
a  kingdom  which  should  never  be  destroyed ;  that  if 
would  break  in  pieces  and  consume  all  the  former 
kingdoms,  and  that  it  should  stand  for  ever. 

This  kingdom  was  represented  to  Nebuchadnezzar 
by  a  stone  cut  out  without  hands,  to  signify,  that  it 
would  be  established  in  the  earth  by  an  Almighty 
Power,  and  not  through  human  skill.  While  other 
empires  were  to  pass  away,  this  stone  was  to  increase, 
till  it  should  become  a  great  mountain,  and  fill  the 
whole  earth. 

In  another  vision,  Daniel  saw  one  like  the  Son  of 
Man,  coming  with  the  clouds  of  heaven ;  he  came  to 
the  Ancient  of  Days,  and  they  brought  him  near  be- 
fore him ;  and  there  was  given  to  him  dominion  and 
glory,  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  the  people,  nations,  and 
6 


62  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

languages  should  serve  him  ;  his  dominion  is  an  ever- 
lasting dominion,  which  shall  not  pass  away ;  and  his 
kingdom  that  which  shall  not  be  destroyed. 

Jesus,  the  Prince  of  peace,  the  Lord  of  glory,  is  this 
Son  of  Man,  this  King  of  Zion.  All  who  truly  believe 
in  him,  are  the  subjects  of  this  spiritual  kingdom ;  for 
it  was  revealed  to  Daniel,  that  "  the  saints  of  the  Most 
High  should  take  the  kingdom,  and  possess  the  king- 
dom for  ever,  even  for  ever  and  ever." 

In  fulfilment  of  this  glorious  prophecy,  Jesus  said 
to  Pilate,  "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world."  As 
his  kingdom  was  to  be  erected  upon  the  ruins  of  idol- 
atry, and  whatsoever  exalteth  itself  against  the  glory 
of  God,  the  world  would  naturally  oppose  its  establish- 
ment and  enlargement.  And  so  it  was  revealed  to 
Daniel.  He  saw  a  persecuting  power  in  his  emble- 
matical vision,  which  should  make  war  with  the  saints, 
and  prevail  against  them,  until  the  Ancient  of  Days 
should  come,  and  judgment  be  given  to  the  saints  of 
the  Most  High ;  and  the  time  arrive,  that  the  saints 
should  possess  the  kingdom. 

From  this  prophecy,  in  connexion  with  those  con- 
tained in  the  Revelation  of  St.  John,  we  are  made  ac- 
quainted with  two  important  facts : — ^the  one  is,  that 
the  Kingdom  of  Christ  shall  finally  prevail,  and  become 
an  universal  Dominion,  blessing  the  earth  with  peace 
and  righteousness  ;  the  other,  that  the  true  Church  of 
Christ  will  have  to  contend  with  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness, and  to  endure  persecution  from  an  ungodly 
world,  until  the  period  shall  arrive  when  Christ  will 
tread  the  wine-press  of  the  fierceness  and  wrath  of 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  63 

Almighty  God,  and  break  his  enemies  in  pieces  like  a 
potter's  vessel. 

With  these  prophetic  declarations  before  us,  we 
need  not  be  surprised  at  the  multiplied  trials  of  St. 
Paul,  and  those  of  true  Christians  in  every  age,  who 
devote  their  lives  to  the  service  of  Christ,  and  to  the 
destruction  of  Satan's  kingdom.  But  it  will  not  be 
always  so.  The  period  of  the  Church's  glory  is  ra- 
pidly advancing.  The  Lord  will  hasten  it  in  his 
lime. 

To  trace  the  various  trials  which  the  Apostle  en- 
dured, his  many  privations,  and  never-ceasing  cares, 
will,  no  doubt,  be  interesting  as  well  as  profitable. 
The  view  of  his  sufferings  should  shame  us  out  of  our 
supineness.  Can  we  remain  indifferent  to  the  inte- 
rests of  Christ's  kingdom,  and  the  eternal  happiness 
of  mankind,  when  he  underwent  so  much  for  the  same 
Jesus,  whom  we  profess  to  worship  ;  and  out  of  love  to 
such  perishing  sinners,  as  now  surround  us ;  and  who 
are  continually  passing  into  eternity,  regardless  of  the 
torments  which  await  them  ? 

It  is  painful  to  think,  how  little  our  hearts  are  affect- 
ed by  the  wickedness  which  overspreads  the  earth. 
There  is  an  obtuseness  on  this  subject,  which  indi- 
cates great  want  of  spiritual  feeling.  We  are  not  suf- 
ficiently alive  to  the  evil  of  sin,  even  in  our  best  mo- 
ments ;  but  could  we  see,  as  God  seeth,  we  should  be 
overwhelmed  by  the  view  of  human  depravity. 

Whilst  Moses  was  on  Mount  Sinai  receiving  the 
Law,  written  with  the  finger  of  God  on  two  tables  of 
Btone,  the    people   were   corrupting  themselves,   by 


ii84  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

making  a  golden  calf  and  dancing  round  it  with  idola- 
trous worship.  The  Almighty  acquainted  Moses  with 
this  act  of  rebellion,  and  threatened  to  destroy  them 
instantly.  Anxious  for  the  honour  of  God  and  the 
preservation  of  Israel,  he  interceded  in  their  behalf, 
and  prevailed.  But  no  sooner  did  Moses  descend  from 
the  mountain,  and  become  himself  a  witness  to  their 
abominations,  than  his  anger  waxed  hot  against  Aaron 
and  the  congregation.  He  cast  the  tables  out  of  his 
hands,  and  brake  them  beneath  the  Mount ;  he  ground 
the  golden  calf  to  powder ;  and  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel  he  commanded  the  sons  of  Levi 
to  slay  every  man  his  brother,  and  every  man  his  com- 
panion, and  every  man  his  neighbour. 

How  far  beyond  our  conception  is  the  forbearance 
of  God,  who  beholds,  at  one  glance,  all  the  evil  which 
is  perpetrated,  yea,  all  the  evil  which  is  devised,  by  all 
the  millions  of  human  beings  throughout  their  succes» 
sive  generations  \ 

Truly  his  mercy  is  infinite.  He  is  God  and  not 
man,  therefore  we  sons  of  men  are  not  consumed. 
But  the  Lord  is  also  a  God  of  judgment,  who  will  by 
no  means  clear  the  guilty  ;  for  he  hath  declared  by  his 
prophet,  that  "  the  wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell 
and  all  the  nations  that  forget  God." 

We  live  in  a  day  of  rebuke  and  blasphemy ;  in  a 
day  when  the  judgments  of  God  are  abroad  in  the 
earth  ;  a  day  in  which  the  enemies  of  Christ  are  awake 
and  active. — Infidelity  is  unfurling  its  standard,  and 
spreading  its  poison. — Satan  is  mustering  his  forces 
against  the  saints  of  the   Most  High.      If  ever  the 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  65 

people  of  God  were  called  upon  by  the  voice  of  Pro- 
vidence to  be  up  and  doing,  it  is  now.  This  is  not  the 
time  to  slumber,  when  the  foe  is  in  the  breach  ;  it  is 
not  the  season  for  rest,  when  the  Lord  calls  his  soldiers 
to  the  spiritual  combat.  The  weapons  of  our  warfare, 
though  despised  by  the  world,  are  mighty,  through 
God,  to  destroy  the  empire  of  Satan  and  to  establish 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  upon  earth. 

O  that  the  Spirit  of  love  may  descend  upon  us  from 
on  high.  Then  will  ministers  and  people,  like  the 
early  Christians,  labour  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  ; 
cultivate  personal  religion  ;  sit  loosely  to  the  world  ; 
and  gladly  suffer  the  loss  of  all  things  for  Jesus'  sake. 

What  the  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  cheerfully 
endured,  out  of  love  to  the  souls  of  men  and  for  the 
sake  of  his  Redeemer,  would  appal  the  stoutest  heart, 
if  destitute  of  Gospel  principles.  Nothing  but  Divine 
Love,  shed  abroad  in  the  heart,  could  have  produced 
such  astonishing  acts  of  patience  and  self-denial ;  such 
cheerfulness  in  suffering ;  such  preparedness  for  death. 

When  writing  to  the  Corinthians,  he  says,  "  I  think 
that  God  hath  set  forth  us  the  Apostles  last,  as  it  were 
appointed  to  death,  for  we  are  made  a  spectacle  unto 
the  world,  and  to  angels,  and  to  men.  Even  unto  this 
present  hour,  we  both  hunger  and  thirst,  and  are  naked, 
and  are  buffeted,  and  have  no  certain  dwelling-place  ; 
and  labour,  working  with  our  hands :  being  reviled, 
we  bless  ;  being  persecuted,  we  suffer  it ;  being  de- 
famed, we  intreat ;  we  are  made  as  the  filth  of  the 
earth,  and  are  the  offscouring  of  all  things  unto  this 
day." 

6* 


66  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Where  is  the  worldling  who  would  endure  such  ac- 
cumulated sufferings  and  contempt,  for  any  promises 
of  good  beyond  the  grave  ?  Worldly  men  will  bear 
many  privations,  connected  with  some  earthly  advan- 
tage, which  they  hope  ere  long  to  enjoy :  it  is  the  true 
Christian  only,  who  can  suffer  for  eternal  glory.  Much 
consolation  was  mixed  with  the  Apostle's  tribulations  ; 
he  could  therefore  say,  "  We  are  troubled  on  every 
side,  yet  not  distressed  ;  we  are  perplexed,  but  not  in 
despair ;  persecuted,  but  not  forsaken  ;  cast  down,  but 
not  destroyed." 

Following  the  steps  of  his  Divine  Master,  who  en- 
dured the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  he  told  the  Co- 
rinthians, "  In  all  things  we  approve  ourselves  as  the 
ministers  of  God,  in  much  patience,  in  afflictions,  in 
necessities,  in  distresses,  in  imprisonments,  in  tumults, 
in  labours,  in  watchings,  in  fastings.  By  honour  and 
dishonour ;  by  evil  report,  and  good  report ;  as  decei- 
vers and  yet  true  ;  as  unknown  and  yet  well  known  ; 
as  dying  and  behold  we  live ;  as  chastened  and  not 
killed ;  as  sorrowful,  yet  always  rejoicing ;  as  poor, 
yet  making  many  rich ;  as  having  nothing,  and  yet 
possessing  all  things." 

As  if  this  weight  of  suffering  were  insufficient  to 
manifest  the  strength  of  his  faith  and  patience,  there 
were  teachers  in  the  church  of  Corinth,  who,  through 
envy,  sought  to  undermine  his  usefulness,  by  insinu- 
ating doubts  respecting  the  validity  of  his  claim  to  the 
office  of  an  Apostle. 

This  aspersion  excited  a  holy  indignation  in  the 
breast  of  Paul  j  for  nothing  could  be  more  abhorrent 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  67 

to  a  heart  hating  dissimulation,  than  such  a  false  as- 
sumption of  character. 

With  peculiar  energy,  he  thus  writes  to  the  Corin- 
thian church,  "  Am  I  not  an  Apostle  ?  am  I  not  free  ? 
have  I  not  seen  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ?  If  I  be  not 
an  Apostle  unto  others,  doubtless  I  am  to  you  ;  for  the 
seal  of  mine  Apostleship  are  ye  in  the  Lord."  I  am 
become  a  fool  in  glorying,  ye  have  compelled  me  ;  for 
I  ought  to  have  been  commended  of  you ;  for  in  no- 
thing am  I  behind  the  very  chiefest  Apostles,  though  I 
be  nothing.^'' 

What  a  striking  instance  is  this,  of  self-abasement. 
While  he  was  compelled  to  magnify  his  apostolic  of- 
fice, he  beautifully  invests  it  with  the  robe  of  humility. 
Then  he  adds,  "  Truly  the  signs  of  an  Apostle  were 
wrought  among  you,  in  patience,  in  signs,  in  wonders, 
and  mighty  deeds. '^ 

Referring  to  his  traducers,  he  says  ;  "  Are  they  mi- 
nisters of  Christ  (I  speak  as  a  fool)  I  am  more ;  in 
labours  more  abundant,  in  stripes  above  measure,  in 
prisons  more  frequent,  in  deaths  oft.  Of  the  Jews,  five 
times  received  I  forty  stripes,  save  one.  Thrice  was 
I  beaten  with  rods,  once  was  1  stoned,  thrice  1  suffered 
shipwreck,  a  night  and  a  day  I  have  been  in  the  deep ; 
in  journeyings  often,  in  perils  of  waters,  in  perils  of 
robbers,  in  perils  by  mine  own  countrymen,  in  perils 
by  the  heathen,  in  perils  in  the  city,  in  perils  in  the 
wilderness,  in  perils  in  the  sea,  in  perils  among  false 
brethren  ;  in  weariness  and  painfulness,  in  watchings 
often,  in  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fastings  often,  in  cold 
and  nakedness  ^  besides  those  things  which  are  with- 


68  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

out,  that  which  cometh  upon  me  daily,  the  care  of  all 
the  churches." 

With  a  heart  supremely  fixed  on  heaven,  and  des- 
pising the  coveted  things  of  the  world,  he  makes  this 
Christian  declaration :  "  If  I  must  needs  glory,  I  will 
glory  of  the  things  which  concern  mine  infirmities. 
Therefore  I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  reproaches, 
in  necessities,  in  persecutions,  in  distresses,  for  Christ's 
sake,  for  when  1  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong." 

O !  how  wonderful  is  the  grace  of  God  in  its  ope- 
rations on  the  human  heart.  How  softening — ^how 
subduing. 

No  worldly  motive  could  have  effected  such  a  change 
in  the  mind  of  this  once  bigoted  Jew.  What  had  he 
to  gain  from  the  world  by  embracing  Christianity? 
Nothing,  but  a  series  of  suffering  and  a  bitter  death. 

Like  Moses,  he  chose  rather  to  suffer  affliction  with 
the  people  of  God  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin 
for  a  season  ;  esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater 
riches  than  the  treasures  of  the  world  ;  for  he  had 
respect  unto  the  recompense  of  the  reward. 

The  true  Christian,  like  the  lowly-minded  Apostle, 
must  be  contented  to  have  his  good  evil  spoken  of. 
His  labours  of  love,  undertaken  with  the  purest  inten- 
tion, may  be  attributed  to  some  mercenary  motive  ;  and 
his  very  sufferings,  patiently  endured  for  the  Truth's 
sake,  may  be  ascribed  to-  the  vainglorious  desire  of 
getting  himself  a  name. 

Let  us  cease  from  man.  Our  eye  must  be  sim- 
ply fixed  upon  God  ;  his  Will  must  be  our  Law ;  and 
his  Glory,   the  end  of  our  actions  ;  for  not  he  that 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  69 

commendeth  himself  is  approved,  but  whom  the  Lord 
commendeth. 

Whilst  doing  his  Will  in  the  simplicity  of  faith,  and 
in  a  spirit  of  love,  we  must  bear  with  patience  the  con- 
tradictions of  sinners,  the  uncharitable  aspersions  of 
religious  professors,  and  even  the  unkind  surmises  of 
Christian  friends. 

The  admonitions  of  St.  Peter  are  very  important  to 
the  tried  believer  in  Jesus.  "  This  is  thankworthy,  if 
a  man  for  conscience  toward  God  endure  grief,  suffer- 
ing wrongfully.  For  what  glory  is  it,  if  when  ye  be 
buffeted  for  your  faults,  ye  shall  take  it  patiently  ?  but 
if,  when  ye  do  well,  and  suffer  for  it,  ye  take  it  pa- 
tiently, this  is  acceptable  with  God.  For  even  here- 
unto were  ye  called  :  because  Christ  also  suffered  for 
us,  leaving  us  an  example  that  we  should  follow  his 
steps  :  who  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his 
mouth  :  who  when  he  was  reviled,  reviled  not  again  ; 
when  he  suffered,  he  threatened  not,  but  committed 
himself  to  him  that  judgeth  righteously.'* 

Can  we  thus  return  good  for  evil?  Under  every 
species  of  trial,  can  we  patiently  endure,  as  seeing 
Him  who  is  invisible.  To  do  so,  is  practical  Chris- 
tianity ;  it  is  being  imitators  of  Him  who  was  meek 
and  lowly  in  heart ;  and  who  hath  commanded  us  to 
deny  ourselves,  to  take  up  our  cross,  and  follow  him. 

"  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is 
none  of  his."  Do  we  then  study  the  character  of  our 
blessed  Lord  as  revealed  in  the  gospel  j  and  pray  with- 
out ceasing,  that  our  souls  may  be  transformed  into  his 
lioly  image  1     The  more  we  drink  into  the  spirit  of 


70  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

Jesus,  the  more  we  shall  experience  peace  and  rest  in 
our  souls. 

Suffering  is  the  lot  of  all,  but  the  afflictions  of  the 
righteous  are  sanctified  afflictions  ;  they  conduce  to 
their  growth  in  grace,  and  mark  out  the  way  to  the 
heavenly  kingdom. 

St.  Paul  knew  this  well ;  for  Jesus  had  told  him, 
what  great  things  he  must  suffer  for  his  name's  sake. 
In  the  midst  of  the  furnace,  his  Saviour  stood  near 
him,  giving  him  the  blessed  assurance,  that  if  he  suf- 
fered with  him,  he  should  also  reign  with  him.  Hence, 
soaring  on  the  wings  of  faith  and  love  above  this  dark- 
ened scene,  he  could  exclaim  with  holy  triumph, 
*'  Who  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  ?  I 
am  persuaded,  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels, 
nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor 
things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other 
creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 

When  Jesus  drew  near  to  the  time  of  his  crucifixion, 
how  sweetly  did  he  comfort  his  little  flock  :  "  Peace  I 
leave  with  you,  my  peace  1  give  unto  you  ;  not  as  the 
world  giveth,  give  I  unto  you.  Let  not  your  heart  be 
troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid." 

Peace  i§  the  legacy  which  Jesus  left  to  his  Church  ; 
a  precious  gift,  more  valuable  than  the  wealth  of  the 
Indies.  It  is  the  fruit  of  his  Spirit,  the  portion  of  his 
saints  ;  whose  peace,  flowing  like  a  river,  widens  as  it 
approaches  the  ocean  of  eternity. 

In  the  midst  of  trouble,  they  are  kept  in  perfect 
peace,  because  their  minds  are  stayed  on  Him ;  rest- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  71 

ing  with  unshaking  faith  upon  his  atonement,  righ- 
teousness, and  intercession,  they  rejoice  with  joy  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory. 

Are  they  called  to  endure  affliction?  They  can 
praise  their  Saviour  in  the  fires.  The  flame  which 
loosens  the  earthly  cord,  like  a  fiery  chariot,  bears 
their  unfettered  spirits  to  the  realms  of  bliss.  None 
are  exempt  from  trials  ;  all  must  prepare  to  meet  them  ; 
come  they  will,  in  one  shape  or  other.  There  are 
trials,  peculiar  to  a  state  of  poverty,  and  to  a  state  of 
wealth.  Some  have  family  burdens,  with  the  blessing 
of  health  ;  others  are  free  from  domestic  cares,  but  are 
oppressed  with  sickness  ;  some  enjoy  the  blessedness 
of  personal  piety,  while  their  immediate  relatives  are 
far  from  God  ;  others  are  labouring  to  benefit  their  fel- 
low sinners,  but  meet  with  little  else  than  ingratitude 
and  opposition.  The  poor  man  is  tempted  to  think 
hardly  of  God;  the  rich  man  to  forget  him.  Even 
the  believer  finds  a  constant  need  for  watchfulness  and 
prayer,  by  reason  of  the  sin  which  dwelleth  in  him.    . 

Thus  each  one  has  to  bear  his  own  burden  ;  and 
oh !  how  often  does  our  merciful  God,  "  stay  his  rough 
wind,  in  the  day  of  the  East  wind,"  that  his  people 
may  be  able  to  carry  their  cross  with  comparative  ease, 
through  the  sustaining  power  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  till 
they  all  meet  around  his  throne,  wearing  the  crown  of 
glory,  and  ascribing  all  their  salvation  to  Him  who 
washed  them  from  their  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and 
made  them  Kings  and  Priests  unto  God. 

•'  He  that  hath  made  his  refuge  Grod, 
Shall  find  a  most  secure  abode 


72  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Shall  walk  all  day  beneath  his  shade, 
And  there,  at  night,  shall  rest  his  head. 


••  Just  as  a  hen  protects  her  1 
From  birds  of  prey  that  seek  their  blood, 
Under  her  feathers  :  so  the  Lord 
Makes  his  own  arm  his  people's  guard. 

«•  But  if  the  fire,  or  plague,  or  sword, 
Receive  commission  from  the  Lord 
To  strike  his  saints  among  the  rest. 
Their  very  pains,  and  deaths  are  blest. 

"  The  sword,  the  pestilence,  or  fire, 
Shall  but  fulfil  their  best  desire. 
Prom  sins  and  sorrows  set  them  free. 
And  bring  thy  children,  Lord,  to  thee." 


CHAPTER  V. 

A    SHORT    HISTORICAL    ACCOUNT    OF    THE    TRIALS    OF 
THE    APOSTLE. 

Let  us  now  trace  the  Apostle's  journey  of  mercy,  as 
recorded  by  his  fellow-labourer  and  historian,  St. 
Luke. 

It  is  highly  instructive  to  pursue  such  a  tour  of  be- 
nevolence ;  "  to  contemplate  a  man,  who  renounced 
the  comforts  of  home,  not  to  amass  wealth,  or  gratify 
curiosity,  or  acquire  knowledge,  which  might  be  os- 
tentatiously displayed  on  his  return  ;  but  to  perform 
the  unsolicited  offices  of  love  to  sttangers  ;  to  impart 
to  them  the  best  of  all  gifts,  the  blessings  of  salvation  ; 
to  do  good  to  others  not  only  at  the  expense  of  timo 
and  labour,  but  at  the  risk  of  his  life.  It  was  thus 
that  Paul,  like  his  Master,  went  about  doing  good." 

While  we  travel  with  him  from  city  to  city,  we  shall 
find  that  every  where  bonds  and  afflictions  awaited 
him.  He  was  a  flam-e,  kept  alive  in  the  midst  of 
raging  waters.  By  the  preserving  care  of  his  Saviour, 
he  was  immortal,  till  his  work  was  done. 

At  Jerusalem  the  theatre  of  his  bloody  persecu- 
tions, he  no  sooner  began  to  preach  salvation  through 
the  cross  of  Christ,  than  the  unbelieving  Jews  went 
about  to  kill  him. 

K 


74  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

At  Antioch,  the  people  flocked  in  such  numbers  to 
hear  the  Gospel,  that  the  Jews,  filled  with  envy,  spake 
against  those  things  which  were  spoken  of  Paul,  con- 
tradicting and  blaspheming,  till  they  succeeded  in  rais- 
ing a  persecution  against  him,  and  in  expelling  him  out 
of  their  coast.  But  he  shook  off  the  dust  of  his  feet 
against  them,  and  came  unto  Iconium,  being  filled  with 
joy,  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 

At  Iconium,  the  unbelieving  Jews  stirred  up  the 
Gentiles,  and  made  their  minds  evil  affected  against 
Paul  and  Barnabas,  so  that  an  assault  was  made  both 
of  the  Gentiles,  and  also  of  the  Jews  with  their  rulers, 
to  use  them  despitefully,  and  stone  them. 

At  Lystra,  certain  Jews,  who  came  from  Antioch 
and  Iconium,  persuaded  the  people,  and  having  stoned 
Paul,  they  drew  him  out  of  the  city,  supposing  he  had 
been  dead ;  but  whilst  the  disciples  stood  round  about 
him,  he  was  miraculously  restored. 

At  this  place  the  Apostle  gave  a  striking  proof  of 
the  purity  of  his  principles.  Having  performed  a  mi- 
racle upon  a  cripple  who  had  never  walked,  being 
lame  from  his  birth,  the  astonished  multitude  cried  out, 
"  The  gods  are  come  down  to  us  in  the  likeness  of 
men."  It  was  with  much  difficulty  that  Paul  restrained 
them  from  doing  sacrifice  unto  him,  saying,  "  Sirs, 
why  do  ye  these  things  ?  We  also  are  men  of  like 
passions  with  you,  and  preach  unto  you  that  ye  should 
turn  from  these  vanities  unto  the  living  God." 

How  different  was  the  spirit  and  end  of  Herod,  who 
drank  in  the  poison  of  popular  adulation.  Being  ar- 
rayed in  royal  apparel,  and  seated  upon  his  throne,  he 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  75 

made  an  oration  unto  the  people.  They  gave  a  shout, 
saying,  "It  is  the  voice  of  a  god,  and  not  of  a  man. 
And  immediately  the  angel  of  the  Lord  smote  him, 
because  he  gave  not  God  the  glory ;  and  he  was  eaten 
of  worms,  and  gave  up  the  ghost." 

At  Philippi,  when  travelling  with  Silas,  the  multi- 
tude rose  up  together  against  them.  The  magistrates 
rent  off  their  clothes,  and  commanded  to  beat  them  ; 
and  when  they  had  laid  many  stripes  upon  them,  they 
cast  them  into  prison,  charging  the  jailor  to  keep  them 
safely,  who^  having  received  such  a  charge,  thrust 
them  into  the  inner  prison,  and  made  their  feet  fast  in 
the  stocks. 

Here,  the  Almighty  appeared  in  behalf  of  his  suf- 
fering servants  :  for,  while  they  were  singing  praises 
to  God  during  the  hour  of  midnight,  suddenly  there 
was  a  great  earthquake  ;  so  that  the  foundations  of  the 
prison  were  shaken  ;  and  immediately  all  the  doors 
were  opened,  and  every  one's  bands  were  loosed. 

Through  the  wonder-working  power  of  grace,  the 
jailor  was  made  to  cry  for  mercy,  to  believe  in  Jesus, 
to  show  kindness  to  the  Apostle,  and  to  rejoice  in  hope 
of  the  glory  of  God. 

At  Thessalonica,  Paul  reasoned  with  the  Jews 
three  Sabbath-days  out  of  the  Scriptures,  opening  and 
alleging  that  Christ  must  needs  have  suffered  and 
risen  again  from  the  dead  ;  and  that  Jesus  whom  he 
preached  unto  them  is  Christ.  And  some  believed 
and  consorted  with  him  and  Silas.  But,  the  Jews  who 
believed  not,  moved  with  envy,  took  unto  them  certain 


76  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

lewd  fellows  of  the  baser  sort,  and  gathered  a  compa- 
ny, and  set  all  the  city  on.  an  uproar. 

At>  Berea  Paul  had  no  rest ;  for  when  the  Jews  of 
Thessalonica  had  knowledge  that  the  word  of  God  was 
preached  by  him  at  this  place,  they  came  hither  and 
stirred  up  the  people.  Yet  his  visit  was  not  without 
some  fruit ;  for  the  Jews  at  Berea,  were  more  noble 
than  those  in  Thessalonica,  in  that  they  received  the 
word  with  readiness  of  mind,  and  searched  the  Scrip- 
tures daily,  whether  those  things  were  so.  And  flie 
happy  consequence  was,  that  many  of  them  believed  : 
also  of  honourable  women  which  were  Greeks,  and  of 
men,  not  a  few. 

At  AthenSj  he  had  to  endure  the  strife  of  tongues, 
In  the  synagogue  he  disputed  with  the  Jews,  and  in 
the  market  daily  with  them  that  met  with  him.  Cer- 
tain philosophers  of  the  Epicureans,  and  of  the  Stoicks 
encountered  him  ;  while  others,  mocking,  said,  "  What 
will  this  babbler  say?  Thou  bringest  strange  things 
to  our  ears."  The  opposition  which  St.  Paul  met  with 
from  these  philosophers,  most  strikingly  shows  the 
holy  and  humbling  nature  of  the  Gospel. 

The  Epicureans  derided  him,  because  the  pure  and 
self-denying  precepts  of  Christ  condemned  and  con^ 
trolled  their  loose  and  exorbitant  course  of  life.  The 
Stoicks  assailed'  him,  because  the  meek  and  lowly 
spirit  of  the  Gospel  was  directly  opposed  to  their  imr 
moderate  pride  and  love  of  praise. 

All,  both  philosophers  and  plebeians,  ridiculed  him, 
because  he  preached  to. them  Jesus  and  the  resurrec- 
tion, and  exposed,  by  arguments  drawn  from.  Creation. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  77 

and  Providence,  the  folly  of  idolatry,  and  their  gross 
superstition  in  worshipping  an  unknown  God. 

At  Corinth,  when  Gallio  was  the  deputy  of  Achaia, 
the  Jews  made  insurrection  with  one  accord  against 
Paul,  and  brought  him  to  the  judgment-seat.  But 
here  the  Apostle  received  strength  and  consolation 
from  on  high.  The  Lord  spake  to  him  in  the  night  by 
a  vision :  "  Be  not  afraid,  but  speak,  and  hold  not  thy 
peace,  for  I  am  with  thee,  and  no  man  shall  set  on 
thee  to  hurt  thee,  for  I  have  much  people  in  this  city." 

At  Ephesus,  a  violent  tumult  was  raised  by  Deme- 
trius, who  made  silver  shrines  for  Diana.  The  whole 
city  was  full  of  confusion,  and  so  great  was  the  danger 
that,  when  Paul  would  have  entered  in  unto  the  people, 
the  disciples  suffered  him  not. 

At  Miletus,  St.  Paul  expressed  his  feelings  to  the 
elders  of  the  church  of  Ephesus  with  inimitable  ten- 
derness. "  Now,  behold,  I  go  bound  in  the  spirit  unto 
Jerusalem,  not  knowing  the  things  that  shall  befal  me 
there  ;  save  that  the  Holy  Ghost  witnesseth  in  every 
city,  saying :  that  bonds  and  afflictions  abide  me.  But 
none  of  these  things  move  me,  neither  count  I  my  life 
dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I  may  finish  my  course  with 
joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I  have  received  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grac^  of  God. 
And  now,  behold,  1  know,  that  ye  all  among  whom  I 
have  gone  preaching  the  kingdom  of  God,  shall  see 
my  face  no  more  !" 

At  CiESAREA  the  Apostle  manifested  a  noble  firm- 
ness. A  certain  prophet  from  Judaea,  named  Agabus, 
took  Paul's  girdle,. and  bound  his  own  hands  and  feet, 


78  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

and  said,  "  Thus  saith  the  Holy  Ghost,  so  shall  the 
Jews  at  Jerusalem  bind  the  man  that  owneth  this  gir- 
dle, and  shall  deliver  him  into  the  hands  of  the  Gen- 
tiles." When  the  disciples  heard  this,  they  besought 
Paul  not  to  go  to, Jerusalem.  But  was  such  a  man  as 
he  to  be  intimidated,. through  fear  of  suffering  ?  Could 
he,  who  gloried  in  tribulation  for  Christ's  sake,  be  in- 
duced to  shrink  from  the  cross  ?  Paul  answered  ; 
"  What  mean  ye  to  weep,  and  to  break  mine  heart?  I 
am  ready  not  to  be  bound  only,  but  also  to  die  at  Jeru- 
salem for  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus."  And  when 
he  could  not  be  persuaded,  they  ceased,  saying, — the 
will  of  the  Lord  be  done ! 

Can  we  thus  suri-ender  into  the  hands  of  our  hea-. 
venly  Father,  without  a  murmur,  whatever  is  dearest  to 
us?  Not. daring  to  cavil  at  his  inscrutable  Wisdom, 
do  we  cordially  acquiesce  in  all  the  arrangements  of 
his  Providence  and  rejoice  in  the  manifestations  of  his 
glory,  even  when  He  requires  the  sacrifice  of  our  most 
valued  comforts  ?  Under  every  bereavement^  can  we 
say,  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away, 
blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord?"  "The  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done  ?" 

At  Jerusalem,  the  Apostle  did  indeed  experience 
the  full  accomplishment  of  the  predictions  of  Agabus. 
All  the  city  was  moved';  and  when  the  people  ran  to- 
gether, they  took  Paul,  and  drew  him  out  of  the  tem- 
ple, and  went  about  to  kill  him.  The  chief  captain 
also  commanded  him  to  be  bound  with  two  chains. 
But  Jesus  did  not  forsake  his  faithful  servant.  In  a 
vision  of  the  night,  the  Lord;  stood  by  him,  and  said,. 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 


79' 


"  Bfe  of  good  cheer,  Paul,  for  as  thou  hast  testified  of 
me  in  Jerusalem,  so  must  thou  bear  witness  also  at 

Rome." 

With  such  divine  assurances  of.  support,  with  such: 
favoured  manifestations  of  his  Saviour's  love,  he  might 
well  say  to  Agrippa,  in  his  eloquent  defence,  "  I  would, 
to  God,  that  not  only  thou,  but  also  ail.  that  hear  me 
this  day,  were  both  almost,  and  altogether  such  as  I 
am,  except  these  bonds." 

Having  appealed  to  Caesar, — Festus  said  to  Paul : — 
*<  Unto  Caesar  shalt  thou  go."  All  this  was  over-ruled, 
to  lead  this  faithful  ambassador  of  Christ  to  Rome,  that 
there  also  he  might  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of 

God, 

With  such  unceasing  trials  the  Apostle  might  well 
say  to  the  Corinthians,  "  If  in  this  Ufe  only  we  have 
hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all  men  most  miserable." 
But  his  hope  was  founded  on- the  Rock  of  Ages  ;  his 
Itfe  was  hid,  with  Christ  in  God;  therefore  he  was 
Siafe  and  happy. 

Being  put  into  a  ship  at  Adramyttium,  this  faithful 
minister  of  Christ  proceeded  on  his  voyage  to  Rome.. 
He,  whose  way  is  in  the  sea,  and  whose  path  is  in  the 
great  waters,  was  pleased  to  raise  a  storm,  which 
should  manifest  his  power,  promote  the  spread  of  his 
Truth,  and  procure  respect  for  his  suffering  servant. 

When  neither  sun  nor  stars  in  many  days  appeared, 
and  no  small  tempest  threatened  their  destruction,  all, 
hope  that  the  crew  would  be  saved  was  taken  away. 

Any  religion  will  stand  in  a  calm. — In  a  storm,  in. 
tj^  moment  of  imminent  danger,,  the  true  Christian ; 


80  CHRISTIAN    BXPERIBNCE, 

alone  exhibits  the  strength  of  his  principles.  When 
the  worldling  is  filled  with  dismay,  he  is  full  of  com- 
fort, y«a,  exceeding  joyful  in  all  his  tribulation. 
Amidst  the  raging  elements,  the  Apostle  stood  as  the 
messenger  of  mercy,; — "  Sirs,  ye  should  have  hearken- 
ed unto  me^  and-  not  have  loosed  from  Crete,  and  to 
have  gained'  this  harm  and.  loss.  And  now.  I  exhort 
you  to  be  of  good  cheer :  for  there  shall  be  no  loss  of 
any  man's  life  among  you,  but  of  the  ship.  For  there 
stood'  by  me  this- night  the  Angel  of  God,  whose  I  am, 
and  whom  I  serve,  saying,  Fear  not,.  Paul ;  thou  must 
be  brought  before  Caesar  :  and,  lo,  God  hath  given  thee 
all  them  that  sail  with  thee.  Wherefore,  Sirs,  be  of 
good  cheer :  for  I  believe  God  that  it  shall  be  even  as 
it  was  told  me." 

Happy  Paul!  to  be  thus  honoured,  of  God,  and 
blessed  with  his  presence  !  Caesar,  surrounded  with 
all  the  splendours  of  an  imperial  palace,  was  poor  in- 
deed, when  compared  with  this  despised  prisoner  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

We  may  here  learn  to  form  a  just  estimate  of  human 
happiness.  It  does  not  consist  in  the  abundance  of 
wealth,  the  dignity  of  power,  or  the  fascinations  of 
pleasure  ;  but,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  Divine  favour, 
and  in  an  uniform  loving  obedience  to  the  Divine 
Will. 

Can  we,  like  the  holy  Apostle,  in  filial  confidence 
declare,  "  Whose  I  am,  and  whom  I  serve  ?"  To  do 
this  is  happiness  upon,  earth ;  to  feel  this,  is  the  com- 
mencement of  heavenly  felicity.  If  our  hearts  assure 
us  that  the  Lord  is  our  portion,  we  are  truly  rich,  under 


GHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  81 

every  outward  privation.  Faith  is  the  key  which  un- 
locks the  store-house  of  divine  bounty.  Possessing 
this  gift  of  grace,  the  believer  can  hope  against  hope, 
and  repose  upon  the  promises  under  every  discourage- 
ment. When  all  is  dark  around  him,  and-  dangers 
threaten  his  destruction,  he  can  even  then  rejoice  ia 
the  Lord,  and  joy  in  the  God  of  his  salvation. 

How  sweetly  does  David  sing,  "  God  is  our  refuge 
and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble  ;: — there- 
fore will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be  removed, 
and  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst 
of  the  sea  ;  though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and  be 
troubled,  though  the  mountains  shake  with,  the  swell- 
ing thereof." 

Faith  is  a  triumphant  principle.  It  supported  the 
royal  Psalmist  under  all  his  varied  trials,  and  upheld 
the  undaunted  Paul  amidst  the  storms  which  every 
where  assailed  him. 

To  the  affrighted,  crew,  the  Apostle  manifested  its-, 
supporting  influence,  when  he  declared',  "  I  believe 
God,  that  it  shall  be  even  as  it  was  told  me." 

This  is  faith  in  ita  native  simplicity.  It  is  taking 
God  at  his  word.  It  is  trusting  in  a  naked  promise, 
believing  that  God  will  do  as  he  hath  said.  It  is  con-, 
fidence  in  the  faithfulness,  power,  and  love  of  Christ. 
It  is  reliance  upon  the  Truth  of  Him  who  cannot  lie, 
whose  counsel  shall  stand,  and  who  will  do  all  his 
pleasure.  Such,  faith,  as  it  honours  Gpd,  so  it  brings 
peace  and  purity  into  the  soul. 

Being  cast  upon  the  Island  of  Melita,  the  Apostle 
would  no  doubt  preach  among  its  inhabitants  the  urir 


82:  CHRISTIAN  irXPERIENGE. 

searchable  riches  of  Christ.  Publius,  the  chief  man 
af  the  Island,  lodged  him  three  days  courteously ;.  to 
whom  he  rendered  a  signal  benefit  through  the  power 
of  Je«us,  by  the  restoration  of  his  father  to  health. 

The  common  people  also  were  directed  to  attend 
nnto  the  word  of  salvation,  by  his  miraculous  escape 
from  death ;  for  wh«n  a  viper  fastened  itself  upon  his 
hand,  he  shook  it  off  without  receiving  an.y  harm. 
Thus  they  saw  in  Paul  the  prisoner,  a  dignity  far  sur- 
passing an  ordinary  character  ;;  and  they  honoured  him 
with  many  honours. 

At  length  the  Apostle  came  to  Rome.  When  the 
brethren  heard  of  his  arrival  in  Italy,  they  came  to 
meet  him,  as  far  as  Appii  Forum,  whom,  when  Paul 
saw,  he  thanked  God,  and  took  courage. 

After  he  had  been  three  days  at  Rome,  he  called  the 
chief  of  the  Jews  together,,  to  whom  he  made  known 
the  reasons  for  his  thus  appearing  as  a  prisoner  amongst 
them  ;  and  when  they  had  appointed  him  a  day,  there 
came  many  to  him  into  his  lodgings,  to  whom  he  ex- 
pounded and  testified  the  kingdom  of  God,  persuading 
them  concerning  Jesus,  both  out  of  the  Law  of  Moses, 
and  out  of  the  Prophets,  from  morning  till  evening  ; 
and  some  believed  the  things  which  were  spoken,  and 
some  believed  not.  Through  the  preserving  care  of 
his  Almighty  Saviour,  St.  Paul  dwelt  two  whole  years 
in  his  own  hired  house  ;  and  received  all  that  came 
unto  him,  preaching  the  kingdomof  God,  and  teaching 
them  those  things  which  concern  the  Lord  Jesus,  no 
man  forbidding  him.  The  same  God  who  quenched 
the  violence  of  the  burning  fiery  furnace,  and  shut  the 


'CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  83 

lions'  mouth,  restrained  the  powet  of  N-cTO,  -and  the 
fury  of  the  Jews. 

How  divine  was  that  principle  which  enabled  the 
Apostle  to  undergo  such  a  series  of  cruel  mockings 
and  scourgings.  Blessed  be  God !  the  same  faith  is 
now  imparted  to  every  earnest  seeker  after  Christ. 
We  all  need  it,  and  we  may  all  obtain  it.  "  Ho,  every 
one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,  and  he  that 
hath  no  money. — Whosoever  will,  let  him  come,  and 
take  of  the  w^ter  of  life  freely.  Look  unto  me,  and 
be  ye  saved,  all  th«  ends  of  the  earth.  Incline  yoiar 
ear,  and  come  unto  me,  hear,  and  your  soul  shall  live." 
Such  is  the  freeness  of  redeeming  love.  The  poor 
and  the  maimed,  the  halt  and  the  blind,  are  invited ; 
while  the  proud,  who  make  light  of  these  blessings, 
are  sent  empty  away. 

With  these  invitations  of  mercy,  the  unwearied 
Apostle  went  forth  into  the  highways  and  hedges, 
seeking  out  the  lost  sinners  of  mankind,  and  compel- 
ling them,  through  the  force  of  Truth  and  Love,  to 
come  to  the  Gospel-feast. 

As  a  loving  heart  makes  willing  feet,  so  he  consider- 
ed no  distance  too  great,  no  road  too  rough,  if  only  he 
could  be  the  means  of  saving  sinners  from  the  wrath 
to  come. 

He  delighted  in  his  work ;  his  whole  heart  was  en- 
gaged in  it,  and  his  whole  life  was  devoted  to  it.  But 
the  time  now  drew  near,  when  this  servant  of  Christ 
was  to  seal  the  Truth  with  his  blood,  and  to  receive 
the  crown  of  martyrdom ;  a  crown,  in  his  estimation. 


84  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

infinitely  surpassing  in  glory,  all  the  diadems  of  the 
world. 

From  Rome,  in  what  appears  to  be  his  last  Epistle, 
St.  Paul  feelingly  and  triumphantly  writes  to  his  be- 
loved Timothy : — 

"  Be  not  thou  ashamed  of  the  testimony  of  our  Lord, 
nor  of  me  his  prisoner :  but  be  thou  partaker  of  the 
afflictions  of  the  Gospel,  according  to  the  power  of 
God.  I  am  appointed  a  preacher,  and  an  Apostle,  and 
a  teacher  of  the  Gentiles.  For  the  which  cause  I 
suffer  these  things  :  nevertheless,  I  am  not  ashamed  : 
for  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded 
that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed 
wnto  him  against  that  day. 

"  Remember,  that  Jesus  Christ,  of  the  seed  of  Da- 
vid, was  raised  from  the  dead  according  to  my  Gospel : 
wherein  I  suffer  trouble,  as  an  evil  doer,  even  unto 
bonds  ;  but  the  Word  of  God  is  not  bound  ;  therefore, 
I  endure  all  things  for  the  elect's  sake,  that  they  may 
obtain  the  salvation  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  with 
eternal  glory. 

"Thou  hast  fully  known  my  doctrine,  manner  of 
life,  purpose,  faith,  long-suffering,  charity,  patience, 
persecutions,  afflictions,  which  came  unto  me  at  Anti- 
och,  at  Iconium,  at  Lysira ;  what  persecutions  I  en- 
dured :  but  out  of  them  all  the  Lord  delivered  me. 

"  All  they  which  are  in  Asia  be  turned  away  from 
me.  The  Lord  give  mercy  unto  the  house  of  One- 
siphorus ;  for  he  oft  refreshed  me,  and  was  not  ashamed 
of  my  chain.  When  he  was  in  Rome,  he  sought  me 
out  very  diligently,  and  found  me.     The  Lord  grant 


CHR1STIA.>J    EXPERIliNCE.  85 

unto  him  that  he  may  find  mercy  of  the  Lord  in  that 
day  ;  and  in  how  many  things  he  ministered  unto  me 
at  Ephesus,  thou  knowest  very  well.  Demas  hath 
forsaken  me,  having  loved  this  present  world.  At  my 
first  answer  no  man  stood  with  me,  but  all  men  forsook 
me.  I  pray  God,  that  it  may  not  be  laid  to  their 
charge.  Notwithstanding,  the  Lord  stood  with  me, 
and  strengthened  me  ;  that  by  me  the  preaching  might 
be  fully  known,  and  that  all  the  Gentiles  might  hear ; 
and  I  was  delivered  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  lion. 
And  the  Lord  shall  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work, 
and  will  preserve  me  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom,  to 
whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever,  Am«n." 

How  sweet,  how  serene,  how  full  of  hope  are  his 
parting,  his  almost  dying  words  ;  "  I  am  now  ready  to 
be  offered,  and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I 
have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  1 
have  kept  the  faith  :  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me 
a  crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  right- 
eous Judge,  shall  give  to  me  in  that  day  :  and  not  to  me 
only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love  his  appearing." 

Thus  sank  to  rest  this  bright  luminary  of  the 
Christian  Church  ;  but  he  only  sank  beneath  the  earth- 
ly horizon,  to  rise,  with  resplendent  glory,  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  resurrection. 

Like  his  Divine  [Master,  he  was  forsaken  by  his 
friends  in  the  bitter  hour  of  persecution  ;  and  like  him, 
he  prayed  that  it  might  not  be  laid  to  their  charge. 

Thus  did  Stephen,  and  so  will  all  who  possess  the 
spirit  of  Jesus,  and  who  feel  the  influence  of  that  cha- 
8 


86  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

rity,  which  covereth,  as  with  a  mantle,  a  multitude 
of  sins. 

As  Paul  felt  the  blessedness  of  the  promise,  "  I  will 
never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee  ;"  so  he  could  boldly 
say,  "  The  Lord  is  my  helper,  I  will  not  fear  what 
man  shall  do  unto  me." 

He  was  not  afraid  to  die,  for  he  had  a  desire  to  de- 
part and  to  be  with  Christ.  His  heart  was  in  heaven, 
because  his  treasure  was  there.  When,  therefore,  the 
appointed  hour  arrived  which  was  to  convey  his  wait- 
ing spirit  into  the  presence  of  his  God,  he  cared  not 
by  what  instrument  this  blessedness  was  to  be  attained, 
whether  by  the  wild  beast,  the  fire,  or  the  sword : 
knowing  that  He,  who  had  never  forsaken  him,  would 
carry  him  in  safety  over  every  wave  of  trouble.  0  ! 
the  blessed  triumph  of  the  cross. — Death  is  the  be- 
liever's consecrated  road  to  glory ;  for  Jesus  has  led 
the  way,  he  has  opened  the  gate  to  everlasting  life,  and 
ever  lives  to  guide  and  guard  his  people  through  the 
darksome  valley  to  his  throne  above. 

Happy  then  is  the  true  believer.  The  world  may 
smile,  or  sneer,  he  heeds  it  not.  His  eye  is  fixed 
upon  an  endless  glory  ;  he  sees  the  King  in  his  beauty, 
and  the  land  which  is  very  far  off.  By  faith  he  brings 
its  glories  near.  He  already  enjoys  them  by  sweet 
anticipation,  and  can  say,  "  The  Lord  is  mine,  and  I 
am  his."  Is  this  our  delightful  experience  1 — If  so, 
then  death  will  be  an  everlasting  gain :  we  shall  hail 
its  approach  with  gladness,  and  bless  the  hour  which 
brings  us  into  the  presence  of  our  God. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  87 

"  O  for  a  martyr's  glowing  zeal  • 

He  fears  no  danger,  shuns  no  pain ; 
He  stands  oppos'd  to  earth  and  hell, 
And  tells  them  all  their  threats  are  vain 

"  See  where  the  faithful  champion  stands '. 
Undaunted  by  his  num'rous  foes ; 
He  listens  to  his  Lord's  command, 
And  life  itself  for  Him  foregoes, 

"  The  kindling  flames  around  him  blaze  > 
His  courage  stands  the  awful  test ; 
The  dying  saint,  no  fear  betrays, 
Nor  does  he  ask  his  foes  for  rest- 

"  His  treasure  they  can  not  destroy ; 

And  while  they  think  to  cast  him  down. 
They  do  but  hasten  on  his  joy. 
And  brighten  his  celestial  crown. 

'*  Farewell,  he  cries,  to  all  below ; 
I  mount  to  yonder  West  abode ; 
To  join  the  sahits  in  heav'n  I  go, 
To  dwell  for  ever  with  my  God. 

"  How  blest  are  they  whose  work  is  done  I 
Who  now  enjoy  the  glorious  prize ; 
Be  this  our  care,  the  race  to  run. 
That  we  may  know,  and  share  their  joya." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

On  conversion.    St.  Paul's  delight  in  preaching 

THE  GOSPEL.  ThE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  PERSONS 
TO  WHOM  HE  WROTE  HIS  EPISTLES.  HiS  THANK- 
FULNESS FOR  SUCCESS  IN  HIS  MINISTRY. 

We  have  beheld  a  glorious  display  of  Almighly  power 
in  the  conversion  of  Saul  of  Tarsus,  who,  from  a  fiery 
bigot  was  made  a  zealous  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ. 

In  the  great  work  of  conversion,  the  Almighty  acts 
upon  us  as  rational  creatures. 

When  man  fell  from  his  original  state  of  innocence^ 
and  lost  the  image  of  his  Maker,  he  did  not  lose  those 
powers  of  his  soul  which  distinguished  him  from  the 
brute  creatioft.  Being  endued  with  understanding, 
will,  affections,  memory,  and  conscience,  he  still  re- 
mained a  free  agent,  a  responsible  being,  subject  to 
ITioral  obligations.  But,  he  became  a  sinner,  and  as 
such,  he  was  obnoxious  to  infinite  justice,  lay  under 
the  curse  of  a  broken  law,  and  having  lost  both  right- 
eousness and  strength,  was  utterly  unable  to  regain 
either  holiness  or  happiness. 

In  this  state  of  spiritual  death,  despair  would  have 
made  Adam  its  wretched  victim,  had  not  the  Throne 
of  Grace  appeared,  from  whence,  in  sweetest  sounds 
Mercy  proclaimed  salvation  through  the  Virgin's  Son. 
What  wonder  must  have  seized  the   heavenly  host, 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  89 

when  Love,  uprising  from  the  bosom  of  the  Eternal 
Father,  in  the  person  of  the  Everlasting  Son,  thus  ex- 
pressed his  willingness  to  save  our  ruined  race  ;  "  Lo, 
I  come  :  in  the  volume  of  the  Book  it  is  written  of  me, 
I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  O  my  God." 

Jesus,  the  promised  Saviour,  came  into  our  world, 
and  bled  and  died  that  guilty  man  might,  through  his 
death,  be  made  an  heir  of  glory.  A  way  of  escape  is 
now  opened  for  us.  All,  who  believe  in  Jesus,  shall 
be  saved.  All,  who  are  found  in  Him,  are  accepted 
and  bliessed  of  the  Father.  But  as  the  mercy  of  our 
God  is  great,  so  also  is  his  justice.  Out  of  Christy 
we  are  hopeless  and  helpless.  We  fell  in  Adam. 
Through  his  fall  we  lost  all  spiritual  strength.  We 
cannot  save  ourselves.  No  parental  discipline,  no  hu- 
man law,  no  system  of  education,  no  influence  of 
friends,  no  moral  suasion,  no  ministerial  labour,  no  af- 
flictive dispensation,  nor  any  other  earthly  thing,  can, 
of  itself,  turn  a  soul  from  darkness  unto  lightj- — from 
the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 

All  these  may  be,  and  often  are,  blessed  as  means; 
but  the  Holy  Spirit  is  the  sole  efficient,  free,  and  so- 
vereign agent  in  the  regeneration  of  the  soul.  God 
will,  and  must,  have  all  the  glory  of  our  salvation, 
through  Jesus  Christ.  The  proud  sinner  must  be  hum- 
bled, and  brought  as  a  little  child  to  the  foot  of  the 
cross.  Fallen  man  fancies  himself  to  be  something, 
when  he  is  nothing,  less  than  nothing,  and  vanity. 
But,  "  thus  saith  the  Lord,  let  not  the  wise  man  glory 
in  his  wisdom,  neither  let  the  mighty  man  glory  in  his 
might,  let  not  the  rich  man  glory  in  his  riches  :  but  let 
8* 


90  CHRISTIAN    KXPERIENCB. 

him  that  glorieth,  glory  in  this,  that  he  understandeth 
and  knovveth  ine,  that  I  am  the  Lord,  which  exercise 
loving-kindness,  judgment,  and  righteousness  in  the 
earth,  for  in  these  things  I  delight,  saith  the  Lord." 

Through  the  Gospel  of  his  grace,  the  Almighty  per^ 
Buasively,  yet  powerfully,  addresses  the  understand- 
ing, the  conscience,  and  the  heart.  He  reveals  to  us 
our  danger  as  apostate  rebels  ;  our  madness  in  prefer- 
ing  sin  to  holiness — the  road  to  hell,  rather  than  the 
way  to  heaven.  He  unfolds  to  us  the  redeeming  love 
of  Christ,  to  melt  our  hearts,  to  captivate  our  affections, 
to  move  our  wills  to  choose  him  as  our  only  Saviour. 
And  when  His  Divine  Power  thus  accompanies  the 
Word  of  Truth,  great  and  glorious  is  the  change  pro- 
duced ; — the  darkened  understanding  is  enlightened, 
the  crooked  will  receives  a  new  bias,  the  wayward  af- 
fections are  fixed  upon  Christ,  and  the  wretched  out- 
cast is  made  a  child  of  God  and  an  inheritor  of  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

"  The  human  heart  is  naturally  shut  against  the 
Truth  by  spiritual  blindness,  and  the  influence  of  sin- 
ful affections.  The  unregenerate  man  is  incapable  of 
perceiving  its  excellence,  and  dislikes  it,  because  it 
aims  at  humbling  his  pride,  and  detaching  him  from 
the  unhallowed  objects  of  his  love.  External  means 
are  not  sufficient  to  remove  those  obstacles  to  a  cordial 
reception  of  the  Gospel.  You  may  describe  colours, 
in  appropriate  terms,  and  with  glowing  eloquence,  to  a 
blind  man  ;  but  no  distinct  idea  of  them  will  be  excited 
in  his  mind,  whilst  he  is  without  the  organ,  by  which 
only  they  are  perceived. 


CHRISTIAN    EXTERIENCB.  Qifl 

"  In  what  manner  God  acts  upon  the  soul  when  h« 
renews  it,  it  is  impossible  to  explain.  The  Scripture» 
informs  us,  that,  he  opens  our  eyes,  enlightens  our  un- 
derstandings, changes  our  hearts^  makes  us  willing, 
and  fulfils  in  us  all  the  good  pleasure  of  his  goodness, 
and  the  work  of  faith  with  power.  With  these  and 
similar  declarations  we  should  be  satisfied.  In  the 
economy  of  grace  and  of  nature,  we  must  be  content 
with  the  knowledge  of  facts.  There  is  a  veil  upon 
the  mode  of  the  Divine  operations,  which  presumption 
may  attempt  to  remove,  while  humble  piety  will  be  em- 
ployed in  observing  and  admiring  the  effects.  Happy 
is  he  who  can  say  with  the  man  whom-  our  Saviour 
ciu-ed,  '  One  thing  I  know,  that  whereas  I  was  blind, 
now  1  see.' — There  is  not  a  prineipk  of  our  religion 
more  clearly  taught  in  the  Scriptures,  and  which  should 
be  more  stedfastly  maintained,  than  that  the  conversion 
of  a  sinner  is  the  effect  of  supernatural  influence.  It 
is  a  principle  which  is  in  unison  with  all  the  other 
parts  of  the  system,  and  contributes,  in  concert  with 
them,  to  promote  its  ultimate  design,  the  glory  of  Al- 
mighty and  Sovereign  Grace.  To  God  is  reserved  th« 
exclusive  hon&ur  of  our  salvation  ;  and  the  proper  sen- 
timents of  man  are  humility  and  gratitude. 

"  The  scriptural  doctrine  of  grace  as  the  efficient 
cause  of  conversion,  takes  away  from  man  every  pre- 
text for  alienating  himself  from  his  Maker,  who  should 
be  the  constant  and  supreme  object  of  his  love,  and 
trust,  and  gratitude.  It  annihilates  his  boasted  dignity 
and  excellence,  and  leaves  nothing  to  be  seen  and  ad- 
mired but  the  Divine  goodness.     This  is  true  rel.ioion  ; 


92"  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

for,  in  harmony  with  all  the  works  of  God,  it  termi- 
nates in  the  manifestation  of  his  glory." 

Jesus,  when  pouring  his  heavenly  light  into  the  be- 
nighted mind  of  Nicodemus,  made  him  acquainted 
with  this  all-important  truth ;  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say 
unto  thee,,  except  a  man  h&  born  of  water  and  of  the 
Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  That 
which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh ;  and  that  which  is 
born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit.  Marvel  not  that  I  said 
unto  thee,  ye  must  be  born  again."  St.  John,  the  be- 
loved disciple,  informs  us,,  that  when-.  Jesus  "came 
unto  his  own,  his  own  received  him  not.  But  as  many 
as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  power,  to  become  the 
sons  of  God,,  even,  to  them  that  believe  on  his  name  : 
which  were  born,,  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the 
flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God." 

To  the  multitudes  who  followed  him  because  they 
did  eat  of  the  loaves  and  were  filled,  Jesus  said;.  "  All 
that  the  Father  giveth  me  shall  come  to  me ;  and  him 
tiiat  cometh  to  me  1  will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  No  man 
can  come  to  me,  except  the  Father  which,  hath  sent 
me  draw  him  :  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day. 
It  is  written  in>  the  Prophets,  And  they  shall  be  all 
taught  of  God;  Every  man  therefore  that  hath  heard, 
and  hath  learned,  of  the  Father,  cometh  unto  me."' 

St.  James,  in  perfect  unison  with  his  Divine  Master, 
says  ;  "  Of  his  own.  will  begat  he  us  with  the  word  of 
truth." 

And  so  does  St.  Peter ;  "  Ye  were  not  redeemed 
with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold, — but,  with 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as   of  a.  lamb  without 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  93 

blemish,  and  without  spot.  See  that  ye  love  one 
another  with  a  pure  heart  fervently,  being  born  again, 
not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the 
word  of  God,  which  liveth  and  abideth  for  ever." 

St.  John  attests  the  same  divine  truth  ;  "  whosoever 
is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin,  for  his  seed  re- 
maineth  in  him  ;  and  he  cannot  sin,  because  he  is  bora 
of  God." 

St.  Paul,  taught  by  the  same  Holy  Spirit,  proclaims 
in  all  his  Epistles,  the  doctrine  of  free  grace,  abound- 
ing to  the  chief  of  sinners  through  the  redemption  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus.  When  speaking  of  himself  in  his 
ministerial  capacity,  he  says  ;  "  By  the  grace  of  God,, 
I  am  what  I  am — and  his  grace  which  was  bestowed 
upon  me  was  not  in  vain,  i^ccording  to  the  grace  of 
God  which  is  given  unto  me,  as  a  wise  master-builder, 
I  have  laid  the  foundation,  which  is  Jesus  Christ.  We 
are  ambassadors  for  Christ — and  Stewards  of  the 
mysteries  of  God." 

With  feelings  of  gratitude  the  Apostle  ascribed  all 
his  ministerial  usefulness,  and  personal  holiness,  to  the 
grace  of  God,  and  to  that  unction  from  the  Holy  One, 
which  is  the  earnest  of  future  glory. 

It  is  beautiful  to  see  with  what  humility  he  seeks, 
on  all  occasions,  to  magnify  the  love  of  God,  which 
shone  so  brightly  in  his  conversion.. 

If  we  have  tasted  that  the  lu0i:d  is  gracious,  our 
hearts,  like  that  of  Paid>  will  overflow  with  thankful- 
ness and  praise. 

With  the  same  faithful  pen,  guided  by  the  unerring 
Spirit  of  Truths  he  shows  to  the  various  churches,  thQ 


94  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

source  of  all  their  blessedness  :  "  You  hath  he  quick- 
ened, wha  were  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins  ;  having 
forgiven  you  all  trespasses.  For  by  grace  are  ye 
saved,  through  faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is 
the  gift  of  God.  Not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should 
boast.  Ye  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Ye  were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now 
are  ye  light  in  the  Lord ;  walk  as  children  of  light. 
Know  ye  not,  that  the  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  God ,-  and  such  were  some  of  you  ;  but  ye 
are  washed,  but  ye  are  sanctified,  but  ye  are  justified 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the  spirit  of  our 
God.  Your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  is  in  you,  which  ye  have  of  God  ;  and  ye  are 
not  your  own,  for  ye  are  bought  with  a  price  ;  there- 
fore, glorify  God  in  your  body,  and  in  your  spirit, 
which  are  God's." 

O !  that  the  pure  Gospel  of  our  salvation  were 
sounded  throughout  the  earth  :  then  would  the  nations 
rejoice  and  be  glad ;  then  would  this  waste  howling 
wilderness  become  tlie  garden  of  the  Lord, 

Blessed  is  that  minister,  who,  like  the  great  Apostle 
of  the  Gentiles,  is  able  to  say  to  his  flock,  "  Brethren, 
be  ye  followers  of  me,  and  mark  them  which  walk  so, 
as  ye  have  us  for  an  ensample." 

An  awful  neglect,  yea  more,  a  marked  dislike,  is 
aften  manifested  to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  under  the 
specious  but  false  pretence  of  vindicating  the  interests 
of  morality.  Pride  lurks  at  the  bottom  of  such  oppo- 
sition, or  at  least  a  dangerous  obscurity  veils  the  minds 
©f  many,  respecting  the  true  nature  of  the  Gospel  of 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  95 

Christ.  These  opposers  may  be  amiable  in  their  man- 
ners, benevolent  in  their  dispositions,  and  correct  in 
their  conduct ;  yet,  being  dark  in  their  views  respect- 
ing the  Gospel  way  of  salvation,  they  consider  the 
zealous  preacher  of  the  cross  as  an  enemy,  rather  than 
a  friend  to  practical  Christianity.  They  do  not  see 
that  all  practical  godliness  springs  from  a  lively  faith 
in  a  crucified  Saviour,  through  whom  the  sinner  is 
freely  and  fully  justified,  "  without  the  deeds  of  the 
lawP 

Were  all  our  churches  filled  with  such  men  as  Paul 
the  Apostle  and  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  island 
would  become  a  Goshen,  full  of  the  light  of  Gospel 
Truth. 

A  day  is  fast  approaching,  when  each  must  give 
account  of  himself  to  God.  We  are  all  stewards  of 
the  manifold  gifts  of  grace.  All  have  some  talents 
committed  to  their  trust,  and  for  those  talents  all  will 
be  responsible  unto  God  who  gave  them.  When  the 
command  goes  forth,  "  Give  an  account  of  thy  steward- 
ship," may  we  do  it  with  joy,  and  not  with  grief. 
Dreadful,  in  that  day,  will  be  the  doom  of  slothful 
pastors,  blind  guides,  negligent  hearers,  and  wilful 
abusers  of  Divine  mercy. 

Hath  the  Father  so  loved  us,  as  not  to  withhold 
from  us  his  Son,  his  only  Son  ?  Hath  the  Son  so 
loved  us,  as  to  purchase  our  souls  with  his  own  blood  ? 
Hath  the  Eternal  Spirit  so  loved  us  as  to  condescend 
to  dwell  in  our  polluted  hearts  1  And  shall  none  of 
these  things  move  us  ? 

This  love  of  God  in  Christ  was  the  delightful  theme 


96  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

which  inspired  the  tongue,  warmed  the  heart,  fired  the 
zeal,  and  impelled  the  progress  of  the  indefatigable 
Apostle  into  the  darkest  regions  of  the  earth.  He 
knew  no  happiness  separate  from  that  of  preaching 
Christ  crucified,  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  the  Justifier 
of  the  ungodly,  the  Purifier  of  the  unclean. 

When  he  saw  the  divine  blessing  accompanying  his 
labours,  in  fulfilment  of  his  Redeemer's  promise,  his 
heart  overflowed  with  joy.  He  knew  whom  he  had 
believed  ;  he  inwardly  felt  the  consolations  of  the  Gos- 
pel ;  he  realized  by  faith  the  glory  to  be  revealed  ;  and 
was  desirous  that  all  around  him  should  partake  of  the 
same  felicity. 

The  Epistles  which  he  wrote,  afford  abundant  evi- 
•dence  of  his  unfeigned  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
his  fervent  love  to  all  the  saints.  As  letters  are  di- 
rected to  certain  individuals,  so  the  Epistles  of  St. 
Paul  describe  the  persons  to  whom  they  were  ad- 
dressed. 

The  following  directions  are  so  plain,  that  no  one 
can  well  mistake  the  character  of  the  persons  for 
whom  they  were  intended. 

"  To  all  that  be  in  Rome,  beloved  of  God,  called  to 
be  saints." 

"  Unto  the  church  of  God  which  is  at  Corinth,  to 
them  that  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  called  to 
be  saints." 

"  To  the  saints  which  are  at  Ephesus,  and  to  the 
faithful  in  Christ  Jesus." 

*'  To  all  the  saints  in  Christ  Jesus  which  are  at 
Philippi." 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  97 

"  To  all  the  saints  and  faithful  brethren  which  are 
at  Colosse." 

"  Unto  the  church  of  the  Thessalonians,  which  is 
in  God  the  Father,  and  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

From  these  addresses,  with  which  his  several  Epis- 
tles commence,  it  is  evident,  that  the  Apostle  did  not 
write  to  a  set  of  carnal,  ungodly,  worldly,  unbelieving 
men,  who  cared  nothing  for  Christ,  or  for  the  salvation 
of  their  souls  ;  but,  to  those  who  had  been  convinced 
of  sin,  converted  to  God,  united  by  faith  to  Jesus 
Christ,  in  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  dwelt,  and  who,  by 
their  holy  lives,  were  so  many  shining  lights  in  the 
midst  of  a  dark  and  polluted  world. 

Are  these  beautiful  Letters,  which  contain  such  con- 
solations and  directions,  addressed  only  "  To  the 
saints,  and  to  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus  ?" — Then  let 
not  the  carnal  professor  of  the  Gospel,  whose  heart  is 
glued  to  the  world,  for  one  moment  think,  that  these 
glorious  promises  in  Christ  Jesus  are  his,  merely  be- 
cause he  has  been  sprinkled  with  water  at  the  baptis- 
mal font,  or  because  he  bears  a  Christian  name,  and 
outwardly  adheres  to  the  visible  Church  of  Christ. 

While  in  a  state  of  unregeneracy,  all  the  denuncia- 
tions of  wrath  contained  in  these  Epistles  are  against 
him  ;  for  thus  saith  the  Apostle,  "  If  any  man  love  not 
the  liOrd  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  be  Anathema  Maran- 
atha."  However  much  it  may  offend  his  pride,  yet 
such  a  nominal  Christian,  destitute  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  while  conforming  to  the  ceremonials  of  religion, 
is  on  a  level  with  the  poor  benighted  Heathen  ;  yea, 
J  in  a  condition  far  more  awful.  For  what  says  our 
9 


98  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE, 

blessed  Lord  himself,  respecting  the  highly-favoured 
Jews  of  his  day,  whose  privileges  were  not  so  great 
as  those  which  we  enjoy  since  his  glorious  ascension, 
and  the  out-pouring  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ? — "  Woe  unto 
thee,  Chorazin,  woe  unto  thee,  Bethsaida ;  for  if  the 
.  mighty  works  which  were  done  in  you,  had  been  done 
in  Tyre  and  Sidon,  they  would  have  repented  long  ago, 
in  sackcloth  and  ashes.  But,  I  say  unto  you,  it  shall 
be  more  tolerable  for  Tyre  and  Sidon  at  the  day  of 
judgment,  than  for  you."  "  That  servant  which  knew 
his  Lord's  will,  and  prepared  not  himself,  neither  did 
according  to  his  will,  shall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes. 
But  he  that  knew  not,  and  did  commit  things  worthy 
of  stripes,  shall  be  beaten  with  few  stripes.  For  unto 
whomsoever  much  is  given,  of  him  shall  much  be  re- 
quired;  and  to  whom  men  have  committed  much,  of 
him  they  shall  ask  the  more." 

Let  each  one  then,  with  deep  solicitude,  ask  himself 
this  serious  question ; — Do  1  bear  the  character,  and 
manifest  the  spirit,  of  those  primitive  believers  to 
whom  St.  Paul  wrote  with  such  paternal  affection  ? 

To  ascertain  this  important  point,  still  further  in- 
quire ; — Do  I  believe  in  Jesus  with  all  my  heart  ?  Is 
my  love  to  him  supreme  and  fervent  ?  Am  1  reposing 
all  my  hopes  of  glory  upon  his  atonement,  righteous- 
ness, and  intercession?  Do  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit 
appear  and  abound  within  me  ?  Am  1  delivered  from 
the  pollutions  and  vanities  of  the  world  ?  Is  holiness 
the  element  in  which  I  desire  to  live  ?  Do  I  crucify 
the  flesh,  with  the  affections  and  lusts,  and,  through 
the  Spirit,  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body  ? 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  99 

If  our  hearts  can  give  the  faithful  affirmative  ;  if  we 
can  truly  say,  that  we  love  Jesus,  and  long  to  be  for 
ever  with  him  ;  and  if  our  daily  walk  bears  witness 
to  the  sincerity  of  this  our  profession  ; — then  we  may 
read  these  beautiful  Epistles,  as  if  they  were  addressed 
to  ourselves,  and  take  all  the  promises  of  forgiveness, 
reconciliation,  strength,  and  consolation,  which  are 
contained  in  them,  to  our  personal  comfort ;  and  in  the 
fulness  of  faith,  and  hope,  and  charity,  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

The  praising  Christian  is  the  happy  Christian.  God 
wills  the  happiness  of  his  people,  and  is  Himself  the 
source  of  their  happiness. 

The  heart  of  St.  Paul  was  peculiarly  susceptible  of 
grateful  emotions.  Divine  grace  shone  forth  with  such 
a  loveliness  in  all  his  actions,  as  renders  the  contem- 
plation of  his  character  and  experience  most  interest- 
ing to  the  Christian  mind. 

Let  us  hear  some  of  his  sweet  accents  of  praise,  as 
expressed  to  the  churches  which  he  had  been  instru- 
mental in  forming,  in  the  midst  of  idolatrous  abomina- 
tions. 

To  the  Christians  at  Rome :  "  I  thank  my  God 
through  Jesus  Christ  for  you  all,  that  your  faith  is 
spoken  of  throughout  the  whols  world." 

To  the  Corinthians  :  "  I  thank  my  God  always  oq 
your  behalf,  for  the  grace  of  God  which  is  given  you 
by  Jesus  Christ." 

To  the  Philippians  :  "  I  thank  my  God  upon  every 
remembrance  of  you,  for  your  fellowship  in  tlie  Gos- 
pel from  the  first  day  until  now." 


100  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

To  the  Colossians :  "  We  give  thanks  to  God  and 
the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  since  we  heard 
of  your  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  of  the  love  which 
ye  have  to  all  the  saints." 

To  the  Thessalonians :  "  We  give  thanks  to  God 
always  for  you  all,  remembering  without  ceasing  your 
work  of  faith,  and  labour  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  sight  of  God  and  our 
Father,  knowing,  brethren  beloved,  your  election  of 
God.  We  are  bound  to  thank  God  always  for  you, 
brethren,  as  it  is  meet,  because  that  your  faith  groweth 
exceedingly,  and  the  charity  of  every  one  of  you  all 
toward  each  other  aboundeth." 

Having  himself  tasted  the  goodness  of  the  Lord, 
the  Apostle  was  delighted,  when  he  saw  other  poor 
sinners,  led  by  the  Spirit,  to  the  same  fountain  of  grace 
and  mercy. 

What  a  happy  feeling  is  holy  gratitude,  when  it 
expands  itself  toward  that  Saviour  whose  bounty  is  ever 
affording  fresh  occasion  for  its  rapturous  emotion. 

Those  cold  hearted  Christians  lose  much  spiritual 
enjoyment,  who  would  exclude  the  exercise  of  the  af- 
fections from  their  system  of  religion. 

As  some  persons,  through  the  corruption  of  their 
hearts,  "turn  the  grace  of  God  into  lasciviousness," 
and  others,  let  their  passions  run  mad  into  the  wilds  of 
enthusiasm ;  so  many,  to  avoid  these  evils,  as  they 
think,  oppose  the  glorious  freeness  of  Gospel  grace, 
and  the  lively  exercise  of  sanctified  affections.  But, 
unless  the  affections  of  the  heart  be  engaged,  little  pro- 
gress will  be  made  in  the  Divine  life,  by  the  mere 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  lOlf 

knowledge  of  the  head.     With  the  heart  man  believeth 
unto  righteousness  ;  Christ  dwells  in  the  heart  by  faith. 

True  faith  is  not  a  cold  assent  of  the  understand- 
ing ;  it  is  a  divine  grace  wrought  in  the  heart  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  which  exercises  the  highest  powers,  and 
the  best  affections  of  the  soul.  It  unites  the  believeT 
to  Christ,  works  by  love,  and  binds  all  the  members  of 
his  mystical  body  together,  by  the  indissoluble  bond 
of  charity. 

Are  we  in  possession  of  this  Gospel  grace  ?  If  not, 
are  we  seeking  after  it,  with  an  earnestness  which  will 
ensure  the  blessing  ?  Faithful  is  he  who  hath  pro- 
mised, who  also  will  do  it.  Jesus,  who  bids  us  ask, 
will  never  fail  to  bestow  the  gift  which  his  Spirit  stirs 
us  up  to  seek. 

How  encouraging  are  the  words  of  David  :  *•'  Lord, 
thou  hast  heard  the  desire  of  the  poor  ;  thou  preparest 
their  heart,  and  thine  ear  hearkeneth  thereto." 
9* 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  prayers  of  st.  paul  tor  the  christian  con- 
verts. His  labour  to  promote  the  stability 
OF  believers.  The  love  of  christ  his  govern- 
ing PRINCIPLE.  His  benevolent  exertions  for 
the  poor  saints  in  jud^a. 

The  heart  of  St.  Paul  glowed  with  holy  love,  and  was 
ever  sending  forth  its  fervent  aspirations  to  a  throne  of 
grace,  in  behalf  of  the  objects  of  his  affection. 

He  knew  the  value  of  prayer.  To  thanks-givings 
for  the  spiritual  blessings  imparted  to  the  Gentile 
Christians,  he  added  earnest  supplications,  that  they 
might  grow  in  grace  and  hold  fast  the  beginning  of 
their  confidence,  firm  unto  the  end. 

What  a  beautiful  example  of  ministerial  faithfulness 
is  thus  afforded  by  this  tender-hearted  shepherd,  to  all 
succeeding  pastors  in  the  Christian  Church.  How 
sublime  and  energetic,  how  full  of  life  and  unction, 
are  the  prayers  which  he  poured  out  in  behalf  of  those 
newly  converted  believers,  to  whom  he  wrote  his 
Epistles. 

He  has  left  us  a  most  invaluable  specimen  of  that 
fervent  prayer  which  availeth  much.  May  all  who 
read  these  holy  breathings  of  the  Apostle,  experience 
the  fulness  of  the  blessings  which  he  so  ardently  im- 
plored for  all  the  churches. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  1(J3 

Being  filled  with  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplica- 
tion, he  thus  expressed  the  inward  feelings  of  hia 
heart ;  "  I  cease  not  to  give  thanks  for  you,  making 
mention  of  you  in  my  prayers,  that  the  God  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  glory,  may  give  you 
the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge 
of  him  ;  the  eyes  of  your  understanding  being  enlight* 
ened,  that  ye  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  call- 
ing, and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance 
in  the  saints,  and  what  is  the  exceeding  greatness  of 
his  power  to  us-ward  who  believe,  according  to  the 
working  of  his  mighty  power  which  he  wrought  in 
Christ,  when  he  raised  him  from  the  dead,  and  set  him 
at  his  own  right-hand  in  the  heavenly  places. 

"  For  this  cause,  I  bow  my  knees  unto  the  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  whom  the  whole  family 
in  heaven  and  earth  is  named,  that  he  would  grant  you, 
according  to  the  riches  of  his  glory,  to  be  strengthened 
with  might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner  man  ;  that  Christ 
may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith,  that  ye,  being  rooted 
and  grounded  in  love,  may  be  able  to  comprehend  with 
all  saints,  what  is  the  breadth  and  length,  and  depth 
and  height,  and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ  which  pass- 
eth  knowledge,  that  ye  might  be  filled  with  all  the  ful- 
ness of  God. 

"  And  this  I  pray,  that  your  love  may  abound  yet 
more  and  more  in  knowledge,  and  in  all  judgment,  that 
ye  may  approve  things  that  are  excellent,  that  ye  may 
be  sincere  and  without  offence,  till  the  day  of  Christ, 
being  filled  with  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are 
by  Jesus  Christ  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God. 


104  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

"  I  do  not  cease  to  pray  for  you,  and  to  desire  that 
ye  might  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  his  will,  in 
all  wisdom  and  spiritual  understanding ;  that  ye  mio^ht 
walk  worthy  of  the  Lord  unto  all  pleasing,  being  fruit- 
ful in  every  good  work,  and  increasing  in  the  know- 
ledge of  God ;  strengthened  with  all  might,  according 
to  his  glorious  power,  unto  all  patience  and  long-suf- 
fering with  joyfulness  ;  giving  thanks  unto  the  Father, 
which  hath  made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inher- 
itance of  the  saints  in  light ;  who  hath  delivered  us 
from  the  power  of  darkness,  and  hath  translated  us 
into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,  in  whom  we  have 
redemption  through  his  blood,  even  the  forgiveness  of 
sins. 

*'  The  Lord  make  you  to  increase  and  abound  in  love 
one  toward  another,  and  toward  all  men,  to  the  end  he 
may  stablish  your  hearts  unblameable  in  holiness  be- 
fore God,  even  our  Father,  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  with  all  his  saints. 

"  The  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly,  and 
I  pray  God,  your  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body,  be 
preserved  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ :  faithful  is  he  that  called  you,  who  also  will 
do  it. 

"  Wherefore  also,  we  pray  always  for  you,  that  our 
God  would  count  you  worthy,  of  this  calling,  and  fulfil 
all  the  pleasure  of  his  goodness,  and  the  work,  of  faith 
with  power,  that  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
may  be  glorified  in  you,  and  ye  in  him,  according  to 
the  grace  of  our  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

*^Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself,  and  God  even  our 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  IQS 

Father  which  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  us  ever- 
lasting consolation  and  good  hope  through  grace,  com- 
fort your  hearts,  and  stablish  you  in  every  good  word 
and  work. 

"  The  Lord  direct  your  hearts  into  the  love  of  God, 
and  into  the  patient  waiting  for  Christ. 

"  The  Lord  of  peace  himself,  give  you  peace  always 
by  all  means. 

"  Peace  be  to  the  brethren,  and  love  with  faith, 
from  God  the  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

*'  The  God  of  peace  that  brought  again  from  the 
dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make 
you  perfect  in  every  good  work  to  do  his  will,  working 
in  you  that  which  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight,  through 
Jesus  Christ ;  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever, 
Amen. 

"  Grace  be  with  all  them  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  sincerity. 

"  Grace  be  to  you,  and  peace  from  God  the  Father, 
and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  gave  himself  for 
our  sins,  that  he  might  deliver  us  from  this  present  evil 
world,  according  to  the  will  of  God  and  our  Father, 

"  Now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abun- 
dantly, above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,  according  to  the 
power  that  worketh  in  us,  unto  him  be  glory  in  the 
church  by  Christ  Jesus,  throughout  all  ages,  world 
without  end. 

'•  The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love 
of  God,  and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be 
with  you  all,  Amen." 


106  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

The  glorious  subject  of  these  petitions  cannot  be 
too  much  studied ;  the  blessings  which  they  contain, 
cannot  be  too  eaniestly  implored. 

These  prayers  of  the  Apostle  lead  us,  as  it  were, 
into  the  inner  chamber  of  his  heart.  We  see  what 
were  his  inmost  desires  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his 
children  in  the  faith.  Here,  nothing  is  cold  or  formal ; 
all  is  fervent,  energetic,  affectionate.  That  which  the 
world  derides,  and  the  formalist  censures,  i&  the  very 
thing  he  so  ardently  supplicated  for  the  churches  of 
Christ ;  even  the  religion  of  the  heart,  manifest- 
ing itself  by  a  supreme  delight  in  Jesus,  by  a  holy  re- 
nunciation of  fleshly  lusts,  and  by  an  uniform  obedi- 
ence to  the  Will  of  God. 

The  Apostle  not  only  rejoiced  over  those  who  were 
made  the  subjects  of  divine  grace,  and  prayed  for  their 
continuance  in  well-doing ;  but  he  also  laboured  with 
incessant  toil  for  their  establishment  in  the  faith.  This 
truly  apostolic  spirit  is  beautifully  displayed  in  his  ad- 
dress to  the  eMers  of  Ephesus  ;  "  Ye  know  from  the 
first  day  that  I  came  into  Asia,  after  what  manner  I 
have  been  with  you  at  all  seasons,  serving  the  Lord 
with  all  humility  of  mind,  and  wi^h  many  tears  and 
temptations  which  befel  me  by  the  lying  in  wait  of  the 
Jews  ;  and  how  I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable 
unto  you,  but  have  showed  you,  and  have  taught  you 
publickly,  and  from  house  to  house^  testifying  both  to 
the  Jews,  and  also  to  the  Greeks,  repentance  toward 
God,  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  1  take 
you  to  record  this  day,  that  I  am  pure  from  the  blood 
of  all  men,  for  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  unto  you 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  107 

all  the  counsd  of  God.  Therefore,  watch^  and  remem- 
ber that  by  the  space  of  three  years,  I  ceased  not  to 
warn  every  one,  night  and  day  with  tears.  And  now^ 
brethren,  1  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of 
his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give 
you  an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are  sancti- 
fied." 

Not  having  been  at  Rome  when  he  wrote  his  Epistle 
to  the  Christians  of  that  city,  he  expressed  his  desire 
with  peculiar  delicacy,  that  he  might  be  permitted  to 
visit  them,  for  their  furtherance  in  the  faith  of  the  Gos- 
pel.— "  God  is  my  witness,  whom  I  serve  with  my 
spirit  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son,  that  without  ceasing  I 
make  mention  of  you  always  in  my  prayers,  making 
request,  if  by  any  means,  now  at  length  I  might  have 
a  prosperous  journey,  by  the  will  of  God  to  come  unto 
you.  For  I  long  to  see  you,  that  I  may  impart  unto 
you  some  spiritual  gift,  to  the  end  ye  may  be  establish- 
ed ;  that  is,  that  1  may  be  comforted  together  with  yew, 
by  the  mutual  faith  both  of  you  and  me." 

As  the  heart  of  St.  Paul  was  filled  with  love  and 
gentleness,  so  he  was  equally  undaunted  in  the  hour  of 
danger.  His  Christian  heroism  was  strikingly  display- 
ed at  Lystra.  Having,  as  we  have  seen,  been  stoned 
by  the  people,  he  miraculously  rose  up,  and  came  into 
the  city ;  and  the  next  day,  he  departed  with  Barnabas 
to  Derbe.  And  when  they  had  preached  the  Gospel 
to  that  city,  and  had  taught  many,  they  returned  to 
Lystra  and  to  Iconium  and  Antioch,  confirming  the 
souls  of  the  disciples,  and  exhorting  them  to  continue 
in  the  faith,  and  that  we  must  through  much  tribulation 


108  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  Afterwards  he  went 
through  Syria  and  Cihcia,  confirming  the  churches. 
Then  he  came  once  more  to  Derbe  and  Lystra  ;  so  the 
churches  were  established  in  the  faith,  and  increased 
in  number  daily. 

The  Apostle,  regardless  of  his  personal  safety, 
watched  over  the  interests  of  the  infant  churches. 
When  persecution  was  spreading  its  fires  on  every 
side,  he  trembled  for  the  souls  of  his  spiritual  children, 
lest  Satan  should  get  an  advantage  over  them ;  for  he 
was  not  ignorant  of  his  devices.  He  had  a  deep  in- 
sight into  the  human  heart,  being  well  acquainted  with 
his  own.  And  knowing  that,  "as  in  water,  face  an- 
swereth  to  face,  so  the  heart  of  man  to  man,"  he  was 
enabled  to  speak  a  word  in  season,  and  to  give  such 
cautions  as  were  needful  to  guard  believers  against 
those  snares  which  were  laid  for  their  feet. 

His  love  for  the  souls  of  men,  led  him  to  endure  the 
greatest  privations  for  their  salvation  and  growth  in 
grace.  Impelled  by  this  principle,  he  traversed  vari- 
ous regions,  that  he  might  plant  churches,  and  water 
those  which  were  already  planted. 

No  force  of  opposition  could  deter  him  from  the 
performance  of  this  duty,  nor  cause  him  to  desert  his 
beloved  converts  in  the  hour  of  danger.  When  he 
could  not  see  them,  through  providential  hindrances, 
he  wrote  invaluable  Epistles  to  confirm  and  strengthen 
fhem  ;  and  when  enabled  to  travel,  we  find  how  fear- 
lessly he  revisited  those  places  which  were  noted  by 
his  trials  ;  being  willing  rather  to  risk  the  loss  of  life, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  109 

th&.ti  that  one  soul  should  perish  through  his  neglect  or 
from  fear  of  suffering. 

In  all  this  the  Apostle  sought  not  his  own  glory,  but 
the  glory  of  God  ;  not  his  own  interest,  but  the  inter- 
est of  perishing  sinners.  Hence  he  could  say,  "  We 
preach  not  ourselves,  but  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord." 
With  the  angels  of  God,  he  could  rejoice  over  one  sin- 
ner that  repenteth ;  and  praise  the  Lord,  for  every 
brand  which  was  plucked  out  of  the  fire.  Having 
been  caught  up  into  paradise,  his  soul  was  full  of  hea- 
venly love,  and  all  his  prayer,  and  desire,  and  labour 
was,  that  heaven  might  be  let  down  into  the  hearts  of 
men,  through  a  believing  reception  of  Jesus  Christ. 

What  a  model  is  here  presented  to  Christian  teach- 
ers in  every  ag«.  There  was  nothing  luke-warm,  no- 
thincT  timid,  nothincr  selfish,  in  the  character  of  this 
preacher  of  righteousness. — The  love  of  Christ  was 
the  governing  principle  of  his  actions  ;  to  promote  the 
glory  of  Christ  was  the  constant  desire  of  his  heart. 
He  could  truly  say,  "  To  me  to  live  is  Christ." — A 
heavenly  light  irradiated  his  mind.  He  saw,  by  faith, 
the  realities  of  eternity,  and  his  bowels  yearned  over 
dying  sinners.  Beholding  them  suspended  by  the 
thread  of  life  over  the  gulf  of  hell,  in  danger  every 
moment  of  dropping  into  its  everlasting  fire,  he  labour- 
ed to  rescue  them  from  ruin.  With  unwearied  solici- 
tude, he  directed  them  to  Jesus,  the  only  Saviour  and 
Friend  of  sinners,  whose  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin, 
and  who  can  and  will  save  to  the  uttermost,  all  that 
come  unto  God  by  him. 

Thus  he  felt  for  the  unconverted  Jews,  when  writing 
10 


110  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

to  the  Church  of  Rome  ;  "  I  say  the  truth  in  Christ,  I 
lie  not,  my  conscience  also  bearing  me  witness  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  that  I  have  great  heaviness  and  continual 
sorrow  in  my  heart,  for  I  could  wish  myself  accursed 
from  Christ,  for  my  brethren,  my  kinsmen  according 
to  the  flesh." 

He  also  expressed  his  great  solicitude  for  their  sal- 
vation :  "  Brethren,  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to 
God  for  Israel  is,  that  they  may  be  saved  :  for  I  bear 
them  record,  that  they  have  a  zeal  of  God,  but  not  ac- 
cording to  knowledge.  For  they,  being  ignorant  of 
God's  righteousness,  and  going  about  to  establish  their 
own  righteousness,  have  not  submitted  themselves  unto 
the  righteousness  of  God."  In  them  he  saw  the  image 
of  his  former  self.  He  could  therefore  pity  them,  and 
pray  for  them,  and  labour  to  do  them  good.  But  he 
trembled  for  their  state  of  unbelief.  With  a  prophetic 
eye,  he  foresaw  the  miseries  which  were  coming  upon 
them  as  a  people,  who,  to  use  his  own  words,  "  both 
killed  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  their  own  prophets,  and 
have  persecuted  us  ;  and  they  please  not  God,  and  are 
contrary  to  all  men  :  forbidding  us  to  speak  to  the 
Gentiles,  that  they  might  be  saved,  to  fill  up  their  sins 
alway  :  for  the  wrath  is  come  upon  them  to  the  utter- 
most." 

The  present  degraded  state  of  the  Jews  is  an  awful 
comment  upon  these  words  ;  while  their  existence  as 
a  people,  affords  an  undeniable  and  perpetual  evidence 
to  the  divine  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  "  My 
God  will  cast  them  away,  because  they  did  not  hearken 
unto  him  ;  and  they  shall  be  wanderers  among  the  na- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  Jl| 

tions."  "  Fear  thou  not,  O  Jacob  my  servant,  saith 
the  Lord ;  for  I  am  with  thee  :  for  1  will  make  a  full 
end  of  all  nations  whither  I  have  driven  thee :  but  I 
will  not  make  a  full  end  of  thee."  "  Thou  shalt  be- 
come an  astonishment,  a  proverb,  and  a  by- word  among 
all  nations  whither  the  Lord  shall  lead  thee."  "  And 
it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  as  ye  were  a  curse  among 
the  heathen,  O  House  of  Judah  and  House  of  Israel, 
so  I  will  save  you,  and  ye  shall  be  a  blessing." 

What  uninspired  men  could  have  uttered  these  words 
with  the  certainty  of  their  fulfilment  ?  It  is  most  evi- 
dent, therefore,  that  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time 
by  the  will  of  man  ;  but  holy  men  of  God  spake,  as 
they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  Jews  have  been  scattered  and  peeled  ;  they  are 
to  this  day,  wanderers,  and  a  by-word  among  the  na- 
tions. Those  kingdoms  which  once  oppressed  them 
are  now  no  more ;  while  they  still  preserve  their  na- 
tional character,  customs,  and  religion,  though  dis- 
persed throughout  the  earth,  without  a  king,  and  with- 
out a  prince,  and  without  a  sacrifice.  What  but 
Almighty  Power  could  have  effected,  and  what  but 
Infinite  Omniscience  could  have  foreseen,  events, 
which  ought  to  shame  the  infidel  out  of  his  unbelief! 

The  Apostle  who  foretold  their  miseries,  has  also, 
in  his  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  foretold  their  restoration, 
and  conversion  to  the  faith  of  Christ,  This  glorious 
event  will  be  to  the  world,  as  life  from  the  dead,  when 
"  Israel  shall  return,  and  seek  the  Lord  their  God,  and 
David  their  king ;  and  when  they  shall  fear  the  Lord 
and  his  goodness  in  the  latter  days." 


112  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

In  the  same  compassionate  spirit,  Paul  grieved  over 
the  benighted  heathen,  who,  being  aliens  from  the  com- 
monwealth of  Israel,  and  strangers  from  the  covenants 
of  promise,  having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the 
world,  walked  in  the  vanity  of  their  mind,  having  the 
understanding  darkened,  being  alienated  from  the  life 
of  God,  through  the  ignorance  that  was  in  them,  be- 
cause of  the  blindness  of  their  heart. 

With  these  bowels  of  compassian  and  earnest  long- 
ings for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  he  told  the  Romans, 
that,  "  from  Jerusalem  and  round  about  unto  lUyricum, 
he  had  fully  preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ." 

The  Lord,  whom  he  so  faithfully  served  in  the  Gos- 
pel of  his  Son,  sustained  him  amidst  all  his  labours,  so 
that  he  could  say,  "  I  am  filled  with  comfort ;  I  am 
exceeding  joyful  in  all  our  tribulation."  This  expe- 
rience of  his  Savio-ur's  loving-kindness,  made  lum  even 
"  glory  in  tribulations  also :  knowing  that  tribulation 
worketh  patience  ;  and  patience,  experience  ;  and  ex- 
perience, hope  :  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed ;  be- 
cause the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us."  Thus  he 
was  strengthened  to  glorify  God  in  the  fires ;  and  to 
spread  abroad  the  savour  of  his  name. 

With  the  love  of  God,  the  love  of  our  neighbour  is 
inseparably  connected ;  for,  "  If  a  man  say,  I  love 
God,  and  hateth  his  brother,  he  is  a  liar :  for  he  that 
loveth  not  his  brother  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can  he 
love  God  whom  he  bath  not  seen?  And  this  com- 
mandment have  we  from  him.  That  be  who  loveth 
God,  love  his  brother  also." 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  113 

Under  the  influence  of  this  Christian  love,  the  Apos- 
tle cheerfully  expended  his  strength,  in  promoting  the 
temporal,  as  well  as  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  brethren 
of  mankind.  His  religion  was  of  a  practical  nature  ; 
it  did  not  consist  in  high  professions  and  swelling 
words  ;  in  many  promises,  and  few  performances  :  but 
in  self-denying  labours. 

When  writing  to  Timothy,  he  gave  him  this  com- 
mand ;  "  Charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that 
they  be  not  high-minded,  nor  trust  in  uncertain  riches, 
but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  us  richly  all  things 
to  enjoy.  That  they  do  good,  that  they  be  rich  in 
good  works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  communi- 
cate, laying  up  in  store  for  themselves,  a  good  founda- 
tion against  the  time  to  come,  that  they  may  lay  hold 
on  eternal  life." 

To  the  exercise  of  the  same  practical  piety,  he  ex- 
horted the  Galatian  converts  :  "Let  us  not  be  weary 
in  well-doing,  for  in  due  season  we  shall  reap,  if  we 
faint  not.  As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do 
good  unto  all  men,  especially  unto  them  who  are  of 
the  household  of  faith." 

The  second  time  when  St.  Paul  went  up  to  Jerusa- 
lem, he  saw  James,  and  Peter,  and  John,  who  gave  to 
him  and  Barnabas  the  right-hand  of  fellowship.  It 
was  then  agreed  that  he  and  Barnabas  should  go  unto 
the  Heathen,  while  the  other  Apostles  would  go  unto 
the  circumcision  ;.  "  Only  they  would,"  writes  Paul  to 
the  Galatians,  "  that  we  should  remember  the  poor, 
the  same  which  I  also  was  forward  to  do." 

The  prophet  Agabus  had  foretold  by  the  Spirit,  that 
10* 


114  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIEXCZ; 

there  would  be  a  great  dearth  throughout  the  world, 
which  came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Claudius  Caesar. 
This  period  of  affliction  called  into  active  exercise  that 
grace  of  love,  which,  when  genuine,  evidences  itself 
by  feelings  of  compassion  and  acts  of  disinterested 
liberality.  The  early  Christians  were  happily  united 
in  heart ;  they  formed  but  one  holy  family  ;  their  in- 
terests, their  joys,  their  sorrows,  were  so  blended  to- 
gether, that  if  one  member  suffered,  all  the  members 
suffered  with  it. 

Thus  it  was  at  this  calamitous  season ;  for  the  his- 
torian informs  us,  that  the  disciples,  every  man  accord- 
ing to  Ids  ability,  determined  to  send  relief  unto  the 
brethren  which  dwelt  in  Judaea,  which  also  they  did  ; 
and  sent  it  to  the  elders  by  the  hand  of  Barnabas  and 
Saul. 

The  Apostle  was  indeed  most  forward  to  remember 
the  poor  suffering  saints.  He  used  all  his  influence 
with  the  Gentile  churches  to  furnish  them  with  the 
means  of  subsistence,  and  spared  no  pains  to  impress 
the  hearts  of  believers  with  the  exalted  duty  of  Chris- 
tian beneficence.  "  I  have,"  said  he  to  the  elders  of 
the  Ephesian  Church,  "  showed  you  all  things,  how 
ye  ought  to  support  the  weak,  and  to  remember  the 
words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said:  It  is  more 
blessed  to  give,  than  to  receive.'* 

Though  very  anxious  to  visit  Rome,  in  order  to  be- 
nefit the  Christians  there  by  his  counsel  and  ministry ; 
yet  he  had  a  work  of  love  to  perform,  which  he  felt 
desirous  first  to  accomplish.  He  therefore  writes, 
**  Whensoever  I  take  my  journey  into  Spain  I  will 


CHRISTPAN    EXPERIENCE.  ir.5> 

come  to  you  :  but  now,  I  go  unto  Jerusalem  to  minister 
unto  the  saints.  For  it  hath  pleased  them  of  Mace- 
donia and  Achaia  to  make  a  certain  contribution  for 
the  poor  saints  which  are  at  Jerusalem.  It  hath 
plteased  them  verily  ;  and  their  debtors  they  are.  For, 
if  the  Gentiles  have  been  made  partakers  of  their  spi-- 
ritual  things,  their  duty  is  also-  to  minister  unto  them 
in  carnal  things.  When  therefore  I  have  performed 
this,  and  have  sealed  to  them  this  fruit,  I  will  come  by 
you  into  Spain.  And  J  am  sure  that,  when  1  come 
unto  you,  I  shall  come  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.'* 

The  charitable  Apostle  was  delighted  with  the  libe** 
rality  of  the  Macedonian  Christians  towards  the  suf- 
fering churches  of  Judaea.  To  the  Corinthians  he  held 
them  forth  as  a  beautiful  model  for  imitation  :  "  More- 
over, brethren,  we  do  you  to  wit  of  the  grace  of  God 
bestowed  on  the  churches  of  Macedonia  ;  how  that  in 
a  great  trial  of  affliction,  the  abundance  of  their  joy 
and  their  deep  poverty  abounded  unto  the  riches  of 
their  liberality.  For  to  their  power,  I  bear  record, 
yea,  and  beyond  thx^ir  power  they  were  willing  of 
themselves ;  praying  us  with  much  entreaty  that  we 
would  receive  the  gift,  and  take  upon. us  the  fellowship 
of  the  ministering  of  the  saints." 

He  then  bestows  a  commendation  upon  the  Corin- 
thians themselves:  "As  touchitig  the  ministering  to 
the  saints,  it  is  superfluous  for  me  to  write  to  you  ;  for 
I  know  the  forwardness  of  your  mind,  for  which  I 
boast  of  you  to  them  of  Macedonia,  that  Achaia  was 
ready  a  year  agOj  and  your  zeal  hath  provoked  very 


K16  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE., 

many.  For,  the  administration  of  this  service,  not  only 
supplieth  the  want  of  the  saints,  but  is  abundant  also 
by  many  thanksgivings  unto  God  ;  whiles,  by  the  ex- 
periment of  this  ministration,  they  glorify  God  for  your 
professed  subjection  unto  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  and  for 
your  liberal  distribution  unto  them,  and  unto  all  men  ; 
and  by  their  prayer  for  you,  which  long  after  you  for 
the  exceeding  grace  of  God  in  you.  Thanks  be  unto 
God,  for  his  unspeakable  gift." 

With  Apostolic  authority,  he  might  have  enforced 
their  obedience  ;  but  wishing  rather  to- win  them  over 
to  the  exercise  of  Christian  benefibence,  he  says,  "  As 
ye  abound  in  every  thing,  in  faith,  and  utterance,  and 
knowledge,  and  in  all  diligence,  and  in  your  love  to 
us,  see  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also.  I  speak  not 
by  commandment,  but  by  the  occasion  of  the  forward- 
ness of  others,  and  to  prove  the  sincerity  of  your  love. 
For,  ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that, 
though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor, 
that  ye,  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich.  God  is 
able  to  make  all  grace  abound  toward  you,  that  ye, 
always  having  all  sufficiency  in  all  things,  may  abound 
to  every  good  work  ;  being  enriched  in  every  thing  to 
all  bounlifulness,  which  causeth  through  us  thanks- 
giving to  God." 

How  indefatigablie  was  this  servant  of  Christ.  Who 
can  view  his  character,  and  not  glorify  God  in  him. 
May  the  contemplation  of  it,,stir  us  up  to  an  increased 
desire  after  that  grace  which  produced  in  him  such 
holy  fruits. 

As  by  a  participation  in  the  sorrows  of  others,  we 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  117 

lessen  their  poignancy  ;  so,  by  an  endeavour  to  in- 
crease the  happiness  of  others,  we  augment  our  own. 
Let  us  then  embrace  every  opportunity  of  doing  good 
to  the  souls  and  bodies  of  men  ;  for  opportunity  is  the 
flower  of  time,  while  the  right  improvement  of  if  is 
the  fruit.  "  To  a  Christian,"  says  the  friend  of  injured 
Africa,  "  it  must  be  regarded  as  an  axiom,  that  an  op- 
portunity of  doing  good,  is  tantamount  to  a  command 
to  undertake  the  service.  Let  us  remember,  that  we 
have  here  no  option.  Our  faculties  are  given  to  us, 
not  as  a  property,  birt  as  a  trust  ;  and  we  are  bound  at 
our  peril  to  forbear  availing  ourselves  of  the  opportn- 
nities  which  Providence  may  place  within  our  reach^ 
of  doing  justice,  and  showing  mercy,  of  lessening 
the  miseries,  and  augmenting  the  happiness,  of  our 
species." 

How  sweetly  constraining  is  the  Christian  motive 
to  brotherly  love  :  "  Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another, 
for  love  is  of  God  ;  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  bora 
of  God,  and  knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not  know- 
eth  not  God,  for  God  is  love.  Herein  is  love,  not  that 
we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son 
to  be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  Beloved,  if  God 
so  loved  us,,  we  ought  also  to  love  one  another." 

«'  Oiie  there  is  above  all  others, 
O  how  he  loves  ! 
His  is  love  beyond  a  brother's, 
O  hovsr  he  loves ! 

w  Earthly  friends  may  fail  and  leave  us, 
Tills  day  kind— the  next  bereave  U3, 
But  this  Friend  will  ne'er  deceive  us, 
O  how  he  loves  I 


118  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

"  Blessed  Jesus !— Would'st  thou  know  him, 
Give  thyself  entirely  to  him ; — 
Is  it  sin  that  pains  and  grieves  thee  T 
Unbelief  and  trials  tease  thee  ? 
Jesus  can  from  all  release  thee : 
O  how  he  loves ! 

"  Love  this  Friend — who  longs  to  save  thee. 
Dost  thou  love  ?  he  will  not  leave  thee 
Think  no  more  then  of  to-morrow, 
Take  his  easy  yoke  and  follow, 
*"        Jesus  carries  all  thy  sorrow, 
O  how  he  loves ! 

"  AH  thy  sins  shall  be  forgiv'n. 
Backward  shall  thy  foes  be  driv'n  ; 
Best  of  blessings  he'll  provide  thee, 
Nought  but  good  shall  e*er  betide  thee, 
Safe  to  glory  he  will  guide  thee, 
Ohow  he  loves!" 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  EFFECTS  OF  THE  APOSTLe's  PREACHING.  HiS  PRO- 
PHETIC WARNINGS  OF  SPIRITUAL  DECLENSIONS. 
His  GLORYING  IN  THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST.  HiS  TEN- 
DERNESS OF  SPIRIT.     His   view  of  the  law  and 

THE  GOSPEL. 

Light  and  darkness  are  not  more  opposed  to  each 
other,  than  Christianity  and  Paganism. 

If  we  look  at  the  sages  of  antiquity,  or  at  the  civilized 
heathens  of  mod«rn  limes,  and  inquire  what  all  their 
self-inflicted  tortures  are  intended  to  effect ;  the  answer 
is  given  in  the  streaming  blood  and  dying  groans  of 
human  victims,  whose  mangled  bodies  are  supposed 
to  propitiate  their  angry  deities. 

Their  idols  are  objects  of  terror,  before  whose  fright- 
ful forms  they  tremble,  and  to  pacify  whose  wrath, 
they  blindly  rush  into  the  jaws  of  death. — Their  idols 
are  vices  deified,  which  mark  the  source  from  whence 
they  spring. 

Our  God  is  love — rich  in  mercy  to  all  who  call  upon 
him.  Our  God  is  holy — the  fountain  of  blessedness 
to  his  people. 

Love,  purity,  and  mercy  are  no  attributes  belonging 
to  heathen  deities.  As  in  ancient,  so  in  modern  days 
the  peculiar  features  of  idolatry  are  obscenity  and  blood. 
Such  is  the  worship  which  Satan  has  established  in  the 


120  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

earth  :  for  so  St.  Paul  declares, — "  the  things  which 
the  Gentiles  sacrifice,  they  sacrifice  to  devils  and  not 
to  God." 

In  obedience  to  his  Saviour's  command,  the  Apostle 
went  forth  into  all  lands  preaching  to  the  Gentiles  the 
Gospel  of  his  grace,  and  labouring  in  His  strength  to 
tutn  them  from  darkness  unto  light,  and  from  the  power 
of  Satan  unto  God.  And  wonderful  was  the  effect  of 
his  labours  among  those  polluted  idolaters,  to  whom 
he  made  known  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

When  the  Gospel  was  preached  in  these  first  ages 
of  the  Church,  it  was  revealed  to  the  hearts  and  con- 
sciences of  sinners  with  great  power.  They  deferred 
not  their  repentance  one  day,  on  account  of  any  world- 
ly considerations.  They  did  not  stay  till  they  had  set 
their  houses  in  order ;  neither  did  the  fear  of  losing 
their  estate,  pleasures,  or  even  life  itself,  separate  them 
from  Christ.  Crowds  of  sinners  who  heard  the  Apostle 
preach,  flocked  into  the  Church  as  doves  to  their  win- 
dows, turning  speedily  and  without  reserve  to  God 
their  Saviour ;  so  that  Zion,  with  holy  admiration, 
might  well  exclaim,  *'  Who  hath  begotten  me  these  ?" 

St.  Luke  bears  ample  testimony  to  the  truth  of  these 
remarks.  After  the  Apostle's  sermon  at  Antioch,  when 
the  Jews  where  gone  out  of  the  synagogue,  he  tells 
us,  "  the  Gentiles  besought  that  these  words  might  be 
preached  to  them  the  next  Sabbath,  when  almost  the 
whole  city  came  together  to  hear  the  word  of  God.  But 
when  the  Jews  saw  the  multitudes,  they  were  filled 
with  envy.  Then  said  Paul,  seeing  ye  judge  your- 
selves unworthy  of  everlasting  life,  lo  we  turn  to  the 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  121 

Gentiles :  for  so  hath  the  Lord  commanded  us,  saying  : 
I  have  set  thee  to  be  a  light  of  the  Gentiles,  that  thou 
shouldst  be  for  salvation  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
And  when  the  Gentiles  heard  this,  they  were  glad, 
and  glorified  the  word  of  the  Lord ;  and  as  many  as 
were  ordained  to  eternal  life  believed." 

The  ministration  of  the  Gospel  had  this  great  effect 
upon  them,  because,  when  it  was  made  known  by  the 
voice  of  men  externally  to  the  ear,  it  was  applied  in- 
wardly to  the  heart,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

Thus,  while  the  Law  was  thundering  its  denuncia- 
tions of  wrath  against  sin  from  mount  Sinai ; — The 
Gospel  was  proclaiming  pardon  and  peace  through  the 
blood  of  Jesus  from  the  hill  of  Sion. 

Then  were  fulfilled  the  sweet  words  of  David : 
'^  Thy  people  shall  be  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power, 
in  the  beauties  of  holiness,  from  the  womb  of  the 
morning,  thou  hast  the  dew  of  thy  youth."  But  the 
still  more  glorious  day  is  hastening  on,  when  Jesus 
shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul  and  shall  be  satis- 
fied. His  children,  begotten  to  him  "through  the 
Gospel,  shall  then  exceed  in  number,  as  well  as  bright- 
ness and  beauty,  the  spangles  of  early  dew  which  the 
morning  discloseth  to  the  delighted  eye  of  the  behold- 
er." Oh  happy  period!  when  believers  shall  cover 
the  earth  as  the  dew  drops  of  the  morning  •  when  they 
shall  appear  in  the  beauties  of  holiness,  adorned  with 
humility,  hope,  love,  and  all  the  graces  of  the  Spirit  j 
when  all  shall  know  the  Lord  from  the  least  to  the 
U 


122  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIEXCK, 

greatest;    when  every  heart  shall   be   his  dwelling- 
place. 

The  Gospel,  being  thus  preached  with  the  Holy- 
Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven,  was  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  both  to  Jews  and  Greeks.  And  now, 
as  then,  it  is  the  word  of  life,  of  reconciliation,  of 
salvation,  to  thousands  of  wretched  sinners,  whose 
hearts  are  opened,  like  that  of  Lydia,  to  attend  to  the 
voice  of  Mercy, 

Oh !  how  can  we  withstand  this  Gospel  of  grace, 
in  which  such  ample  provision  is  made  for  every  need. 
In  the  greatness  of  his  love,  our  heavenly  Father  has 
revealed  an  all-sufficient  Saviour,  for  the  removal  of 
our  guilt  and  for  our  recovery  to  his  favour ;  and  an 
all-sufficient  Sanctifier,  for  the  renewal  of  our  hearts 
and  for  our  restoration  to  the  privileges  of  his  children. 

Being  taught  by  the  Spirit,  St.  Paul  knew  full  well 
that  he  might  preach  and  ApoUos  water,  but  that  God 
only  could  give  the  increase. 

In  this  Epistle  io  the  Thessalonians,  he  takes  par- 
ticular notice  of  this  accompanying  grace  of  God : 
"  Our  Gospel  came  not  unto  you  in  word  only,  but  also 
in  power,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance. 
And  ye  became  followers  of  us,  and  of  the  Lord, 
having  received  the  word  in  much  affliction,  with 
joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  For  this  cause,  thank  we 
God  without  ceasing,  because  when  ye  received  the 
word  of  God  which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it, 
not  as  the  word  of  men,  but  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word 
of  God,  which  effectually  worketh  in  you  that  believe." 

The  single-hearted  Apostle  and  his  fellow  labourers 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  123 

m  the  Gospel,  arrogated  no  power  to  themselves. 
They  acknowledged  their  own  weakness;  declaring 
that  they  possessed  this  treasure  m  e-arthen  vessels, 
that  the  excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  God,  and 
not  of  man.  This  he  confessed  to  the  Corinthians, 
when  stating  the  efficacy  of  his  labours  amongst  them : 
"  Not  that  we  are  sufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  any 
thing  as  of  ourselves ;  but  our  sufficiency  is  of  God, 
who  hath  made  us  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment." 

How  harmoniously  do  the  graces  of  the  S^pirit  blend 
their  excellencies  in  the  experience  of  St.  Paul,  which 
like  the  glorious  Arch  in  the  heavens,  present  to  our 
view  the  wonderful  work  of  God.  Oh !  that  our  ad- 
miration, may  lead  us,  through  grace,  to  a  close  imi- 
tation of  this  indefatigable  servant  of  Christ. 

The  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel  has  Joys  and 
sorrows  peculiarly  his  own.  Regardless  of  all  per- 
sonal inconveniences,  connected  with  his  pastoral  of- 
fice, his  soul  can  rejoice  when,  through  his  labours, 
sinners  are  converted  unto  God. 

Such  delight  Paul  felt,  in  the  midst  of  all  his  con- 
flicts :  of  this  pleasure,  John  partook  when  he  wrote, 
"  I  have  no  greater  joy,  than  to  hear  that  my  children 
walk  in  truth :"  and  in  such  pure  felicity,  will  every 
faithful  pastor  participate,  whose  heart  is  in  his  work, 
and  whose  life  is  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Truth. 

How  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that  preach  the 
Gospel  of  peace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things. 
May  their  numbers  and  their  success  be  abundantly 


124  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

increased,  till  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  the  glory 
of  th^  Lord. 

But  with  sorrow  we  have  to  lament,  that  the  Gospel 
does  not  exhibit  its  primitive  power  amongst  us.  Its 
conquests  are  few  ;  and  the  dispensers  of  it  have  rea- 
son to  complain,  that  they  spend  their  strength  to  very 
little  purpose. 

And  why  i^  this?  Is  the  Lord^s  hand  shortened 
that  it  cannot  save  ?  or,,  is  his  ear  heavy,  that  it  cannot 
feear  ?  Are  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  less  important 
now  than  when  they  were  first  preached  ?  or  the  threat- 
enings  again.st  those  who  neglect  them,  less  alarming  ? 
— -3y  no,  means.^  As  professing  Christians  we  must 
seek  for  the  cause  of  this  evil  in  ourselves..  Like  those 
whom  our  Lprd  describes  in  the  parable,  we  are  ever 
ready  to  frame  excuses  for  not  attending  to  the  call  of 
the  Gospel.  We  try  to,  shelter  our  slothfulness  under 
the  plea  of  inability  to  do  what  the  Gospel  requires ;, 
or,  from  the  want  of  time  to  seek  after  the  promised, 
strength.  Thus  we  deceive  ourselves,  till  death  re-, 
veals  to  us  our  fatal  error. 

0  !  that  we  were  wise,  that  we  understood  this,  that 
we  would  consider  our  latter  end.  May  the  Spirit 
awaken  us  to  a  sense  of  our  danger.  What  language 
can  exceed  the  tenderness  of  our  heavenly  Father : 
*'  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  One 
of  Israel ;  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God  which  teacheth  thee 
to  profit,  which  leadeth  thee  by  the  way  that  thou 
shouldst  go.  O  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  com- 
mandments, then  had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and 
thy  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea." 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  125 

We  might  have  supposed  that  the  world  would  have 
grown  more  holy  and  more  confirmed  in  the  faith  of 
the  Gospel,  during  the  lengthening  period  of  the  Chris- 
tian dispensation  :  but  St.  Paul  in  his  Epistle  to  Tim- 
othy discloses  a  painful  truth  ;  "  The  Spirit  speaketh 
expressly,  that  in  the  latter  times,  some  shall  depart 
from  the  faith,  giving  heed  to  seducing  spirits  and  doc- 
trines of  devils ;  speaking  lies  in  hypocrisy,  having 
their  conscience  seared  with  a  hot  iron."- — "  For  the 
time  will  come,  when  they  will  not  endure  sound  doc- 
trine;  but  after  their  own  lusts  shall  they  heap  to  them- 
selves teacherSj  having  itching  ears ;  and  they  shall 
turn  away  their  ears  from  the  truth,  and  shall  be  turn- 
ed unto  fables." 

To  the  Thessalonians  he  also  writes ;  "  Be  not 
shaken  in  mind,  or  be  troubled,  neither  by  spirit,  nor 
by  word,  nor  by  letter  as  from  us,  as  that  the  day  of 
Christ  is  at  hand.  Let  no  man  deceive  you  by  any 
means  :  for  that  day  shall  not  come,  except  there  come 
a  falling  away  first,  and  that  man  of  sin  be  revealed, 
the  son  of  perdition  ; — whom  the  Lord  shall  consume 
with  the  spirit  of  his  mouth,  and  shall  destroy  with  the 
brightness  of  his  coming." 

Under  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  St.  Peter 
declares  ;  "  There  shall  be  false  teachers  among  you, 
whe  privily  shall  bring  in  damnable  heresies,  even  de- 
nying the  Lord  that  bought  them,  and  bringupon  them- 
selves swift  destruction,  and  many  shall  follow  their 
pernicious  ways,  by  reason  of  whom  the  way  of  truth 
shall  be  evil  spoken  of.  There  shall  also  come  in  the 
last  days,. scoffers,  walking  after  their  own  lusts,  and 
11* 


126  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

saying :  where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming?  for  since • 
the  fathers  fell  asleep,  all  things  continue  as  they  were, 
from  the  beginning  of  the  creation." 

From  whence  arises  all  this  evil  in  the  Christian 
Church?  The  springs  which  supply  these  bitter  wa- 
ters are  clearly  revealed  in  the  charges  which  St.  John 
was  commanded  to  deliver  to  the  angels  of  the  seven 
churches :  "  I  have  somewhat  against  thee,  because 
thou  hast  left  thy  first  love.  Be  watchful,  and  strength- 
en the  things  which  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die.  Thou 
art  neither  cold  nor  hot,  I  would  thou  wert  cold  or 
hot ;  so  then  because  thou  art  lukevmrm,  and  neither 
cold  nor  hot,  I  will  spue  thee  out  of  my  mouth."  This 
defection  of  Christian  principle,  this  declension  from^ 
the  holiness  of  the  Gospel,  must  be  traced  to  the  in- 
nate corruption  of  the  heart.  A  growing  insensibility 
to  the  evil  of  lukewarmness,  a  neglect  of- closet  duties, 
or  a  heartless  performance  of  them,  a  want  of  watch- 
fulness and  circumspection,  a  sinful  conformity  to  the 
world,  an  eager  grasping  after  earthly  things,  bespeak 
a  people  fallen  from  that  exalted  standard  of  faith  and 
love  which  so  signalized  many  of  the  early  Chris- 
tians from  the  world  around  them. 

But,  if  in  the  days  of  St.  Paul  the  mystery  of  ini- 
quity began  to  work ;  if  John  had  to  rouse  the  declin- 
ing churches,  and  even  in  the  purest  age  of  Christi- 
anity had  to  declare,  that  many  deceivers  and  anti- 
christs were  entered  into  the  world:  let  us  look  to 
ourselves,  lest  we  fall  from  our  own  steadfastness  ;  let 
us  daily  examine  ourselves,  whether  we  be  in  the  faith ; 
and  knowin«T  that  the  end  of  all  thint:fs  is  at  hand,, let: 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIBXCE.  127 

US  seek  for  more  grace,  that  we  may  be  sober,  and 
watch  unto  prayer,  waiting  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

If  such  signs  of  declension  are  visible  among  pro- 
fessing Christians,  who  still  maintain  an  outward  re-- 
gard  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel;  what  black 
marks  may  we  not  expect  to  find  upon  those  who, 
though  called  CAm^i«r.^,  do  not  pretend  to  make  any 
profession  of  religion  at  all. 

These  hate  the  light,  and,  will  not  come  to  it.  They 
love  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are 
evil.  The  world  reigns  in  their  hearts,  and  Satan  has. 
the  sway  over  them.  They  will  not  part  with  those 
sins  which  the  Word  of  God  condemns,  nor  perform 
tiiose  duties  which-  it  enjoins.  They  may  attend  a 
preached  Gospel,  but  they  do  not  hear  it  with  teach- 
able hearts.  Their  fastidious  minds  are  soon  offended: 
with  the  matter  or  manner  of  the  preacher.  They 
criticise  the  style  of  his  discourse,  but  overlook,  or  are 
offended  at  its  home-directed  truths.  They,  being 
whole  in  their  own  estimation,,  feel  no  need  of  the 
Physician  ;  and  would  gladly  absent  themselves  alto- 
gether from  the  house  of  God,  did  not  some  secret 
whisper  of  conscience,  the  force  of  early  habit,  or  a 
desire  to  keep  up  an  outward  decency  of  character,, 
restrain  their  departing  steps. 

These  and  other  similar  causes  operate  to  exclude 
the  light  of  the  Gospel  from  the  hearts  of  sinners. 

O !  what  a  wretched  being  is  man,  when  left  to 
himself!     Every  evil  nestles  in  his  heart,  producing 


128  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

a  thousand  Stings  to  torment  him  in  time  and  through 
eternity. 

St.  Paul  directs  us  to  the  contemplation  of  this  mis- 
ery :  "  If  our  Gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them  that  are 
lost;  in  whom  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the 
minds  of  them  which  believe  notj  lest  the  light  of  the 
glorious  Gospel  of  Ghrist,.  who  is- the- image  of  God, 
should  shine  unto  them." 

David,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  deceitful- 
ness  of  the  heart,  describes  the  wicked  man  as  flatter- 
ing himself  in  his  own  eyes,  until  his  iniquities  be 
found  to  be  hateful: 

It  is  awful  to  think  what  delusions  men  practise 
upon  themselves.  Through  the  artifices  of  Satan,  and 
the  false  reasonings  of  their  own  hearts,  they  are  de- 
ceived to  their  own  ruin  : — 

By  comparing  themselves  with  those  who  are  more 
notoriously  wicked ;  and  thus  thinking  themselves  good. 

By  magnifying  their  supposed  virtues,  and  softening 
down  their  vices; 

By  presuming  upon  the  Mfercy  of  Gdd,  as  if  he 
were  too  benevolent  to  put  his  threatenings  into  exe- 
cution ;  or  in  other  words,  too  good  to  he  true. 

By  depending  upon  a  death-bed  repentance,  not  con- 
sidering that  repentance  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit ;  and  that  they  cannot  turn  and  prepare  themselves 
by  their  own  natural  strength,  to  faith  and  calling  upon 
God. 

By  disbelieving  the  eternity  of  hell  torments,-  as 
being  a  punishment  too  cruel  and  severe  for  the  all- 
hounteous  Creator  to  inflict  upon  his  erring  creatures. 


CHRTSTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  129 

By  denying  the  particular  providence  of  God ;  es- 
teeming it  beneath  his  glorious.  Majesty,  to  inspect 
their  trivial  concerns,  or  to  notice  each  trifling  devi- 
ation from  his  Law. 

By  lowering  the  standard  of  Christian,  morality. 

By  supposing  the  Almighty  to  be  such  an  one  as 
themselves. 

It  is  the  gracious  work  of  the  Spirit  to  convince  the 
world  of  unbelief,  that  radical  evil  from  whence  grow 
a  thousand  brarvches,  each  bearing  the  most  deadly 
fruit.  Unbelief  threw  a  shade  over  the  lovely  scenes 
of  paradise,  and  still  shrouds  the  earth  with  sadness  : 
it  bars  the  gate  of  heaven,,  and  opens  that  of  hell. 
Unbelief  blinds  the  eyes  of  sinners  to  the  dangers, 
which  beset  them.,  and  the  misery  which  awaits  them.. 
They  have  eyes  and  see  not,  they  have  ears  and  hear 
not.  While  to  their  worldly  interest  they  are  quick- 
sighted  in  the  extreme^  a  thick  film  covers  the  eye  of 
their  minds  when  the  higher  interests  of  eternity  are 
set  before  them.  The  things  of  eternity,  being  invisi- 
ble, are  forgotten,  or  lightly  regarded,  while  those  of 
time,  always  appealing  to  the  senses,  are  ever  upper- 
most in  their  affections.  They  know  that  death  will 
come,  but  he  is  now,. as  they  fondly  hope,  at  a,  distance 
from  them.  Hence  they  sport  with  lightsome  heart 
along  the  flowery  path  of  pleasure,  till,  the  unexpected 
dart  is  hurled,  which  hurries  them,  in  all  their  unpre«- 
paredness,  into,  the  presence  of  their  Judge. 

"  Ivife,  and  the  scenes  that  round  it  rise, 
SJiare  in  the  same  uncertainties ; 
Yet  still  we  hug  ourselves  with,  vain 


130  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Of  future  days  serene  and  long, 

Of  pleasures  fresh  and  ever  strong, 

An  active  youth,  andslow^  declining  age. 

"  Like  a  fair  prospect  still  w^e  make 
Things  future,  pleasing  forms  to  take; 
First,  verdant  meads  arise,  and-fiow'ry  fields;: 
Cool  groves,  and  shady  copses  here. 
There  brooks  and  winding  streams  appear, 
While  change  of  objects  still  new  pleasures  yields. 

"  Farther,  fine  castles  court  the  eye, 
There,  weakh  and.  honours  we  espy ; 
Beyond,  a.  huddled  mixture  fills  the  stage,. 
Till  the  remoter  distance  shrouds 
The  plain  with- hills,  those  hills  wi*  clouds. 
There,  we  place  death,  behind  old  shivering  age. 

"  When  death  alas!  perhaps  too  nigh^ 
In  the  next  hedge  doth  skulking  lie, 
There  plants  his  engines,  thence  let  fly  his  dart, 
Which,  while  we  ramble  without  fear, 
Will  stop  us  in  our  full  career, 
And  force  us  from  our  airy  dreams  to  part." 

Thus,  vain  man,  heedless  alike  of  present  danger 
and  future  evil,  neglects  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel, 
ajid  with  awful  madness  rushes  into  the  everlasting  fire. 

Is  he  warned  of  his  danger  ? — He  laughs  at  the  cre- 
dulity of  his  advisers.  Is  he  invited  to  accept  the 
offers  of  redeeming  love  ? — He  cannot  relinquish  the 
pleasures  of  the  world.  He-  is  willing  to  run  all  risks, 
rather  than  endure  the  self-denying  requirements  of 
religion.  H-eaven  presents  no  charms  to  his  vitiated 
taste.  Being  earthly,  sensuaVj  devilish,  his  desires 
are  only  carnal,  and  his  every  step  brings  him  nearer 
to  the  pit  of  hell.  But  oh !  how  great  is  the  change, 
when  the  Holy  Spirit  shines  into  his  heart,  and  gives 
him  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in. 


C3SRISTIA.N    EXPERIENCE.  131 

the  face  of  Jesus  Ckrist.  Evils  are  then  discovered 
which  before  lay  hidden  and  unknown.  Boasted  vir- 
tues are  found  to  be  rebel  sins  ;  and  crimes,  committed 
under  soft  and  tender  names,  are  seen  in  all  their 
blackness. 

Thus  Paul,  in  has  state  of  darkness,  considered  it 
meritorious  to  waste  the  Church  of  Christ ;  but  when 
enlightened  by  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  he  saw  his  zeal  to 
be  rebellion,  and  his  persecution  murder. 

In  every  age,  whether  barbarous  or  refined,  the 
preaching  of  the  eross  is  to  them  that  perish,  foolish- 
ness. The  most  learned  in  human  science,  cannot, 
by  the  unassisted  powers  of  reason,  discover  the 
glory  o(  the  cross  of  Christ.  Their  lofty  minds  can- 
not stoop  so  low  as  to  receive,  in  the  simplicity  of 
faith,  the  humiliating  truths  connected  with,  and  flow- 
ing from,  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement. 

This  is  a  path  which  the  vulture's  eye  hath  not  seen. 
Human  philosophy  cannot  perceive  the  beauty  and 
sublimity  of  tbis  consecrated  way  to  glory.  But, 
blessed  be  God,  the  poor  have  the  Gospel  preached 
unto  them  ;  the  poor  are  made  rich  in  faith  and  heirs 
of  the  kingdom  ;  though  never  taught  to  measure  dis- 
tant planets,  or  to  explore  with  philosophic  eye  the 
bowels  of  the  earth.  With  humble  minds  they  listen 
to  the  truth,  receive  it  in  faith  and  love,  and  through 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  made  holy  and 
happy  by  it. 

David  tuned  his  harp  to  this  delightful  subject : 
"  Blessed  is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound  : 
they  shall  walk,  0  Lord,  in  the  light  of  thy  counte- 


132  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

nance.  In  thy  name  shall  they  rejoice  all  the  clay  ; 
and  in  thy  righteousness  shall  they  be  exalted  ;  for 
thou  art  the  glory  of  their  strength  ;  and  in  thy  favour 
our  horn  shall  be  exalted  ;  for  the  Lord  is  our  defence, 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel  is  our  King.  Remember  me, 
O  Lord,  with  the  favour  that  thou  bearest  unto  thy 
people  :  O  visit  me  with  thy  salvation,  that  I  may  see 
the  good  of  thy  chosen  ;  that  I  may  rejoice  in  the 
gladness  of  thy  nation  ^  that  I  may  glory  with  thine 
inheritance." 

How  triumphant  is  the  power  of  the  cross,  which 
enabled  the  Apostle  to  say,  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me  and  I  unto  the 
world."  No  wonder  he  was  anxious  to  make  known 
to  a  ruined  world,  this  mystery  of  grace,  which  had 
filled  his  heart  with  joy  and  peace. 

It  was  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  that  he  had  learned 
to  despise  all  human  greatness,  and  to  desire,  above 
all  things,  an  interest  in  the  righteousness  of  his  cru- 
cified Saviour. 

The  glory  of  the  cross  threw  all  the  glories  of  the 
world  into  the  shade.  Vanity  was  inscribed  on  all  its 
pleasures,  its  possessions,  and  its  power.  Hence, 
with  Christian  boldness  he  assured  the  Roman  cori" 
verts,  "  1  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  : 
for  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  believeth."  He  declared  also  to  the  believers  at 
Corinth,  "  We  preach  Christ  crucified,  unto  the  Jews 
«  stumbling-block,  and  unto  the  Greeks  foolishness, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  133 

but  unto  them  which  are  called,  both  Jews  and  Greeks, 
Christ  the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God." 

Deeply  impressed  with  the  infinite  blessings  which 
flow  down  from  heaven,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  only- 
Mediator  between  God  and  man,  he  laboured  to  impress 
the  hearts  of  others,  that  they,  like  him,  might  be 
made  partakers  of  the  grace  of  God.  Through  the 
force  of  Truth,  Felix  was  made  to  tremble,  Agrippa 
was  almost  persuaded  to  be  a  Christian,  and  thousands 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  were  pricked  to  the  heart. 

What  effect  has  the  Gospel  had  on  our  hearts  ? 
Have  we  been  humbled  and  changed  by  it  ?  Has  it 
brought  us  to  Christ,  the  sinnets  only  refuge  from  the 
wrath  to  Come  ?  Is  the  world  crucified  to  us,  nd  I'onger 
Swaying  our  affections, — and  are  we  crucified  to  the 
tvorld,  being  esteemed  worthless  for  Jesus'  sake  ? 

The  Almighty  said  to  Abraham,  "  I  will  bless  thee, 
and  thoU  shalt  be  a  blessing."  However  much,  th«n, 
the  people  of  God  may  be  despised,  they  aire  the  sieed 
which  the  Lord  hath  blessed. 

How  expressive  are  the  Vvords  of  our  Saviour  to  his 
disciples;  "Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth."  Salt  has 
two  properties.  By  the  one  it  preserves  from  corrup- 
tion the  substance  with  which  it  is  mixed ;  and  Vjr 
the  other,  it  communicates  to  that  substance  its  bwh 
savour.^ — The  two-fold  benefit  is  derived  to  the  world 
from  true  believers.  Through  their  counteracting  in- 
fluence, the  progress  of  corruption  is  retarded,  and  by 
their  example,  precept,  and  prayers,  the  savour  of  their 
spirit  is  diffused.     This  blessedness  is  the  work  of 


134  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

the  Holy  Ghost,  and  is  produced  through  the  consis- 
tency and  persevering  labours  of  the  righteous. 

The  life  of  the  believer  is  a  patient  continuance  in 
well-doing,  a  pressing  forward  towards  the  mark,  a 
running  the  race  set  before  him,  a  growth  in  grace. 
Hence,  with  much  solicitude,  Paul  wrote  to  the  Colos- 
sians  to  continue  in  the  faith,  and  not  to  be  moved 
away  from  the  hope  of  the  Gospel  which  they  had 
heard,  and  which  was  preached  to  every  creature  un- 
der heaven  ;  "  whereof,"  he  adds,  "  I  Paul  am  made  a 
minister  according  to  the  dispensation  of  God  which 
is  given  to  me  for  you,  to  fulfil  the  word  of  God,  even 
the  mystery  which  hath  been  hid  from  ages  and  from 
generations,  but  now  is  made  manifest  to  his  saints, 
to  whom  God  would  make  known  what  is  the  riches 
of  the  glory  of  this  mystery  among  the  Gentiles,  which 
is  Christ  in  you,  the  Hope  of  glory,  whom  we  preach, 
■warning  every  man,  and  teaching  every  man  in  all 
wisdom,  that  we  may  present  every  man  perfect  in 
Christ  Jesus  :  whereunto  I  labour,  striving  according 
to  his  working  which  worketh  in  me  mightily." 

As  the  heart  of  St.  Paul  was  large  enough  to  con- 
tain a  whole  world,  with  respect  to  his  desires  and 
prayers  for  the  conversion  of  every  human  being  to 
that  state  of  spiritual  happiness  which  he  enjoyed  ; 
so,  he  was  full  of  the  tenderest  sensibilities  towards 
those  to  whom  he  had  been  made  the  honoured  instru- 
ment in  bringing  to  the  knowledge  of  Christ. 

With  what  parental  tenderness  does  he  address 
his  beloved  converts  at  Thessalonica  and  Philippi : 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  135 

**  We  are  gentle  among  you  even  as  a  nurse  cherish- 
eth  her  children ;  so  being  affectionately  desirous  of 
you,  we  were  willing  to  have  imparted  unto  you,  not 
the  Gospel  of  God  onty^  but  also  our  own  souls,  be- 
cause ye  were  dear  unto  us.  Ye  know  how  we  ex- 
horted, and  comforted,  and  charged  every  one  of  you, 
as  a  father  doth  his  children,  that  ye  would  walk  wor- 
thy of  God,  who  hath  called  you  unto  his  kingdom  of 
glory."  "  God  is  nvy  record,  how  greatly  I  long  after 
you  all,  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ."^ 

How  exquisitely  touching  are  these  appeals  to  the 
sympathies  of  our  nature.  They  speak  directly  to  the 
heart.  We  can  conceive  of  nothing  more  endearing 
than  this  tenderness  of  ministerial  affection.  The 
blessed  Apostle  felt  all  the  father  towards  his  spiritual 
children  ; — he  exhorted — he  comforted — he  charged 
each  of  them,  that  he  might  build  them  up  in  the  faith 
of  the  Gospel. 

His  Epistle  to  Philemon  is  replete  with  feelings  of 
Christian  friendship ;  in  which,  after  having  expressed 
his  joy  in  hearing  of  his  faith  and  love  which  he  had 
towards  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  towards  all  saints,,  he  thus 
pleads  for  Onesimus,  the  runaway  servant  of  Philemon, 
who,  it  appears,  had  robbed  his  master  ; — "  Though  I 
might  be  much  bold  in  Christ  to  enjoin  thee  that  which 
is  convenient,  yet  for  love's  sake»  I  rather  beseech 
thee,  being  such  an  one  as  Paul  the  aged,  and  now  a 
prisoner  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  beseech  thee  for  my  son 
Onesimus,  whom  I  have  begotten  in  my  bonds.  If 
thou  count  me  therefore  as  a  partner,  receive  him  as 
myself,    If  he  hath  wronged  thee  or  oweth  thee  ought, 


13$  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

put  tkat  on  mine  account.  I  Paul  have  written  it  with 
mine  own  hand,  1  will  repay  it :  albeit,  I  do  not  say  to 
thee,  how  thou  owest  unto  me  even  thine  own  self  be- 
sides. Yea,  brother,  let  rae  have  joy  of  thee  in  the 
Lord ;  refresh  my  bowels,  in  the  Lord.  Having  con- 
fidence in  thy  obedience,  I  wrote  unto,  thee,  knowing, 
that  thou,  wilt  also. do  more  than  I  say." 

Can  any  thing  be  more  lovingly  persuasive,  or  mor& 
dumbly  solicitous  than  these  appeals,  to  the  heart  of 
Philemon.  There  is  throughout  the  whole  Epistle^  a. 
delicacy  of  sentiment  and  a  pathos  which  strikingly 
mark  the  elevated  and  refined  state  of  the  Apostle'a 
mind. 

When  parting  with  such  a  father  in  Christ,  the 
elders  of  Ephesus  might  well  weep  sore,  falling  on 
Paul's  neck  and  kissing  him,  sorrowing  most  of  all  for 
the  words  which  he  spake,  that  they  should  see  his. 
face  no  more ! 

Is  this  Saul'  of  Tarsus,  the  murdierer  of  Stephen,  the 
blasphemer  of  Jesus,  the  persecutor  of  the  sheep  of 
Christ?  What  cannot  grace  effect!  Well  might  Je- 
hovah.  say,  "Behold  I  am,  the  Lord,  the  God  of  alL 
flesh,  is  there  any  thing  too  hard  for  me  ?" 

The  Gospel. is  truly  a  revelation  of  love  and  mercy  ; 
and  those  who  dispense  its  blessings,  and  would  wish 
to  see  them  received,  by  the  world,  must,  with  St.  Paul, 
exhibit  in  their  own  spirit,  the  loveliness  and  lovipg- 
kindness  of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

This  Apostle  of  Jesus  Christ  was  well  instructe4  in 
the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom.  Though  his  heart  was 
full  of  the  tenderest  feelings  of  compassion,  yet,  he 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  137 

knew  how  to  use  the  terrors  of  the  Law,  as  well  as 
the  persuasives  of  the  Gospel. 

With  a  masterly  hand  he  drew  the  contrast  between 
the  Law  and  the  Gospel,  showing  with  admirable  pre- 
cision the  effects  produced  by  each.  The  Law  is  the 
ministration  of  death  and  of  condemnation  : — The  Gos- 
pel is  the  ministration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  righteous- 
ness. The  Law  is  the  letter  which  killeth  : — The 
Gospel  is  the  spirit  which  giveth  life.  The  Law,  as 
a  covenant  of  works,  though  glorious,  was  done  away  : 
— The  Gospel,  as  a  covenant  of  grace,  by  reason  of 
the  glory  that  excelleth,  is  of  perpetual  duration.  By 
the  Law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin  : — Through  the  Gos- 
pel is  the  knowledge  of  salvation.  The  Law  worketh 
wrath  : — The  Gospel  imparteth  peace.  The  Law  ex- 
hibits God  as  a  consuming  fire  : — The  Gospel  reveals 
him  as  a  reconciled  Father. 

What  the  Holy  Spirit  has  joined  together,  let  not 
vain  man  pretend  to  separate.  The  Spirit  makes  use 
of  the  Law  and  the  Gospel  in  working  faith,  and  it 
must  be  the  work  of  preachers  to  join  the  Law  and 
the  Gospel  together.  They  must  awaken  and  wound 
by  the  Law,  and  they  must  comfort  and  heal  by  the 
Gospel.  By  the  Law  they  must  strike  with  terror 
such  as  are  insensible,  and  rouse  such  as  are  sleepy ; 
and  by  the  Gospel  they  must  pour  the  soft  healing  oil 
of  the  covenant  into  the  wounds  of  those  who  are 
broken  in  spirit,  and  are  sinking  under  the  weight  of 
their  misery. 

This  is  rightly  to  divide  the  Word  of  Truth,  accord- 
ing to  the  charge  given  by  the  Apostle  to  Timothy ; — 

1^2* 


138  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

"  Study  to  show  thyself  approved  of  God,  a  workman 
that  iieedeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the 
word  of  truth:"  that  is^  dispensing  it  suitably  and 
agreeably  to  the  stato  and  temper  of  the  hearers. 

The  promises  of  the  Gospel  are  not  to, be  laid: open 
to  sinners,  who  are  slumbering,  on  beds  of  sloth,  but 
they  niust  be  awakened  by  the  threatenings  of  the 
Law.  On  the  other  handj  the  corroding  medicines,  of 
the  Law  are  not  to  be  applied,  to  s.uch  as  are  ready  to 
be  swallowed  up  with  excess  of  sorrow,  but  to  them 
must  be  administered  the  strengthenings  reviving  cor- 
dials of  the  Gospeli 

By  the  Law,  sinners  must  be  led  to  the  brink  of 
Jordan-;  but  by  the  Gospel,  they  must  be  carried  over 
Jordan  into  the  promised  land  of  spiritual  rest,  the 
earnest  and  foretaste  of  heavenly  bliss. 

It  is  delightful  to  observe  the  wisdom  of  our  Lord-'; 
how  exactly  he  suited  his  counsel  to  the  various,  states 
of  mankind.  The  secure  and  presumptuous  he  sent 
to  the  Law,  that  they  might  be  humbled.  To  the  eon- 
trite  and  penitent,  he  preached  the  Gospel,  that  they 
might  be  comforted.  When  the  rich  Pharisee,  full  of 
self-conceit,  said,  "Good  Master,  what  good  thing 
shall  I  do  that  I  may  have  eternal  life  ?" — The  answer 
was,  "  If  thou  wilt  enter  into  life,  keep  the  command- 
ments." 

When  the  broken-hearted  woman  fell  at  his  feet, 
and  spoke  in  tears  the  guilt  of  her  life,  and  the  anguish 
of  her  soul ;  "  Thy  sins  are  forgiven,"  was  the  gracious 
reply. 

Thus,  the  wisdom  of  God  shines, forth  in  all  his  dis* 


GHRISTIAJf.  EXPERIENCE.  139 

^nsations.  The  Law  gives  u&^  the  shadow  of  good 
Uiings  to  come  ;  the  Gospel  reflects  their;  image  more 
distinctly  ;  while  in  heaven  they  will  be  viewed  in  the 
perfection  of  beauty,  and  be  revealed  in.  the  saints,,  in 
all  their  fullness  of  glory. 

''Ground  of  my  hope,  tjie  «ross  appears ; 
I  see  the  "man  .of  sorrows  Weed; 
I  bid  adieu  to  guilty  fears, 
And  in  his  death  my  pardon  read^ 

««  And  could'st  thou,  O  my  Saviour  die, 
To  rescue  me  from  endless  woe  1 
Enough !  there's  none  more  blest  than  Ij 
Since  thou  could'st  love  a  sinner  so. 

"  I  leave  the  world  its  boasted  store, 
Of  pleasures  that  must  quickly  end ; 
I  prize  its  vanities  no  more. 
Since  I  have  found^the  sinner's  friend. 

"  I  care  not  if  the  world  revile, 

The  world  that  hates  my  master's  cause: 
The  world,  I  know  would  quickly  smile, 
Were  I  again  what  once  I  was. 

"  Then  farewell  world,  and  farewell  all 
That  emulates  a  Saviour's  claims ; 
I'll  hear  him  and  obey  his  call, 
Regardless  who  approves  or  blames. 


"  I'll  praise  him  while  he  gives  me  breath, 
Nor  then  will  cease  to  sing  his  love : 
For  when  my  voice  is  lost  in  death, 
l.hope  to  join  the  choirs  above." 


^ 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Paul's  disinterestedness.  His  parental  solici- 
tude FOR  HIS  SPIRITUAL  CHILDREN.  HiS  SELF-RE- 
NUNCIATION. His  CHRISTIAN  FORBEARANCE  WITH 
WEAK  BRETHREN* 

Disinterestedness  formed  a.  beautiful,  feature  in  the 
character  of  St.  Paul. 

It  is  the  appointment  of  God,  that  they  who  preach 
the  Gospel  should  live  of  the  Gospel ;  as  the  Jewish 
priests,  who  ministered  about  holy  things,  lived  of  the 
things  of  the  temple.  It  is  also  due  from  a  principle 
of  equity,  that  those  who  devote  their  time  and  talents 
for  the  spiritual  good  of  others,  should  be  preserved, 
by  a  suitable  maintenance,  from  those  anxieties  and 
cares  which  necessarily  attend  worldly  business.. 

This  equitable  provision  is  clearly  ordained  of  God, 
both  under  the  Old  and  New  Testament  dispensations, 
that  the  faithful  minister  may  be  enabled,  with  more 
unfettered  spirit,  to  pursue  the  arduous  labours  of  his 
office.  "  If,"  says  the  Apostle,  "  we  have  sown  unto 
you  spiritual  things,  is  it  a  great  thing,  if  we  shall  reap 
your  carnal  things?  Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the 
word  communicate  unto  him  that  teacheth,  in  all  good 
things." 

When  Paul  succeeded,  through  the  grace  of  God, 
in  forming  a  church,  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  instantly 


eHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  i^l 

united  to  crush  this  little  company  of  believers  ;  while 
some  accused  him  of  self-interested  motives,  as  if  he 
only  sought  a  livelihood  among  the  newly  converted 
Heathen., 

This  accusation  led  him  to  refuse  repeated  offers  of 
assistance,  that  he  might  cut  off  occasion-  from  them 
who  thus  desired  an  occasion  to  misrepresent  him. 
He  therefore  said  to  the  elders  of  Ephesus— •"  I  have 
coveted  no  man's  silver,  or  gold,  or  apparel.  Yea,  ye 
yourselves  know,. that  these  hands  have  ministered  unr 
to  my  necessities,  and  to  them  that  were  with  me." 

Though  he  had  a  full  right,  as-  a  minister  of  Christ, 
to  the  support  of  Ctiristian  believers,  for  whose  sak« 
he  expended  all  his  strength ;  yet  from  the  peculiar 
state  of  the  infant  Church,  he  made  this  disinterested 
declaration  ; — "  I  have  used  none  of  these  things  ; 
neither  have  I  written  these  things  that  it  should  be  so 
done  unto,  me ;,  for  it  were  better  for  me  to  die,  thaiji 
that  any  man  should  make  my  glorying,  void'.  For 
though  I  preach  the  Gospel,  l  have  nothing  to  glory 
of;  for  necessity  is  laid  upon  me  ;  yea,  woe  is  unto 
me,  if  I  preach  not  the  Gospel" 

Nothing  could  be  farther  removed  from  the  heart  of 
the  Apostle  than  self-seeking,  and  the  love  of  what  he 
designated  filthy  lucre.  The  man  who  could  say,  "I 
die  daily;"  whose  desire  was  to  depart,  and  to  be  with 
Christ;  whose  affections,  were  set  on  things  above; 
and  whose  life  was.  hid  with.  Christ  in  God :  would 
feel.no  hankering  after  the  perishing  honours, and, rich- 
es of  the  worldi 

His  appeal,  to.  the   church  of  Corinth  is  £^  striking 


142  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

specimen  of  that  eloquence  of  th«  heart,  which  flows 
fr»m  a  feeling  of  conscious  integrity ; — "  What  is  it, 
wherein  ye  were  inferio^r  to  other  churches,  except  it 
be,  that  I  myself  was  not  burdensome  to  you  ?  For- 
give me  this  wrong.  Behold  the  third  time  I  am  ready 
to  come  ta  you,  and  I  will  not  be  burdensome  to  you  ; 
for  I  seek  not  yours,  but  you  ;  for  the  children  ought 
not  to  lay  up  for  the  parents,,  but  the  parents  for  the 
children.  And  I  will  very  gladly  spend,  and  be  spent 
for  you,  though  the  more  abundantly  1  love  you,  the 
less  I  be  loved." 

Nothing  but  the  power  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  could 
have  produced  a  feeling  so  completely  opposed  to  every 
principle  of  our  fallen  nature.  "  I  will  very  gladly 
spend,  and  be  spent  for  you,"  is  the  language  of  warm 
affection.  It  is  th«  expression  of  an  entire  surrender 
of  ourselves  for  the  good  of  those  whom  we  tenderly 
love  ;  as  the  Apostle  said  to  the  Philippians,  "  If  I  be 
offered  upon  the  sacrifice  and  service  of  your  faith,  I 
joy  and  rejoice  with  you  all ;  for  the  same  cause  also, 
do  ye  joy  and  rejoice  with  me."  But  to  say,  "  I  will 
very  gladly  spend,  and  be  spent  for  you,  though  the 
more  abundantly  I  love  you,  the  less  I  be  loved^'' — is  a 
glorious  triumph  over  the  pride  and  selfishness  of  the 
human  heart. 

0 !  that  we  could  see  among  professing  Christians, 
more  of  this  unwearied,  this  disinterested  love.  To 
possess  this  grace  is  to  resemble  Christ,  who  went 
about  doing  good,  even  to  the  evil  and  unthankful ; 
who  prayed  for  his  enemies  ;  who  laid  down  his  life 
fcr  his  murderers ;  and  who  hath  left  us  an  example 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  143 

that  we  should  follow  his  steps.  Without  this  heaven- 
ly principle  of  love,  which  suffereth  long  and  is  kind, 
we  shall  soon  grow  weary  in  well-doing,  especially,  if 
our  labours  be  requited  with  ingratitude.  To  retaliate 
injuries  is  the  work  of  pride  ;  to  bear  them  meekly,  is 
the  fruit  of  humility.  He,  who  is  saved  by  infinite 
mercy,  will  cheerfully  forgive  an  offending  brother. 
The  spirit  of  the  Gospel  is  love.  Happy  is  the  man 
whose  soul  is  cast  into  this  heavenly  mould,  and  re- 
ceives the  image  of  Him,  who  is  love. 

The  faithful  minister  of  the  Gospel  is  often  called 
to  spend  his  strength  among  a  people,  who,  so  far  from 
valuing  his  exertions  for  their  spiritual  good,  oppose 
him  in  every  possible  way.  Yet,  he  goes  on  labouring 
with  unwearied-patience  in  the  midst  of  every  discour- 
agement. His  motives  being  misjudged,  and  his  char- 
acter maligned,  still,  in  the  strength  of  that  Saviour 
who  sees  the  sincerity  of  his  heart,  he  perseveres  in 
his  work  of  mercy.  Knowing  the  value  of  souls,  and 
the  grace  of  Jesus,  he  is  determined  to  endure  every 
trial,  though  the  more  abundantly  he  loves,  the  less  he 
be  loved. 

This  holy  perseverence  does  not,  in  general,  lose  its 
reward.  The  Lord  blesses  such  a  patient  exercise  of 
faith  and  hope,  both  to  the  shepherd  and  his  flock. 

Many  opposers  of  the  Truth  are  led,  through  the 
Spirit,  to  submit  their  wills  to  Jesus,  and  to  love  the 
man,  through  whose  persevering  meekness  and  unwea- 
ried forbearance,  they  have  been  brought  into  the  glo* 
rious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God. 

May  each   Christian  reader,  while  holding  before 


14  i  CTlRtStlAN   "feXPERIE.VCE 

himself  the  mirror  of  Divine  Truth,  be  enabled  to  dis- 
cover his  own  character. 

Hast  thou,  like  the  disinterested  Paul,  this  holy  love 
to  the  Gospel  of  Christ  ?  Catist  thou  labour  for  the 
salvation  of  sinners,  though  thy  labours  be  requited 
with  ingratitude  and  contempt?  Dost  thou  esteem  all 
things  which  nature  admires,  as  loss  for  Christ  ?  Is 
thy  heart  powerfully  dtawn  toward  the  people  of  God, 
and  dost  thou  love  them,  because  they  are  the  mem- 
bers of  Christ,  and  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 
What  are  thy  views  of  sin  ?  Is  it  beheld  as  rebellion 
against  God,  as  the  crucifier  of  Christ  ?  Is  it  hated, 
opposed,  and  more  and  more  destroyed  within  thee  ? 
Is  holiness  the'  sacred  atmosphere  in  which  thou  de- 
hghtest  to  live  ?  Canst  thou  say  with  the  heavenly- 
minded  Apostle,  I  have  a  desire  to  diepart,  and  to  be 
with  Christ?  Dost  thou  esteem  it  thy  heaven,  to  be 
with  Christ,  to  be  mad-e  like  him,  and  for  ever  to  be- 
hold his  glory. 

If,  with  the  deep  fe-eling  of  humility  and  self-abase- 
ment before  God,  thy  heart  can  assent  to  these  impor- 
tant questions,  then  rejoice,  yea,  again  and  again  re- 
joice ;  for  He  who  hath  begun  this  good  work  in  th-ee, 
will  carry  it  on,  and  perfect  it  to  his  own  everlasting 
praise. 

True  faith,  from  its  very  nature,  must  influence  the 
heart,  and  cause  the  fruits  of  holiness  to  spring  up  and 
abound.  When  genuine,  it  works  by  love  and  is  never 
satisfied  with  any  present  measure,  but  is  always  pant- 
ing after  an  increase ;  since  He,  who  imparts  it,  is  in- 
finite and  inexhaustable,  and  hath  declared,  "  Whoso* 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERtENCB.  145 

ever  hatli,  to  him  shall  be  given ;  and  he  shall  have 
more  abundance." 

Parental  Solicitude  was  an  interesting  trait  in 
the  character  of  the  Apostle.  Fearing  lest  his  humil- 
iating sufferings,  which  he  so  feelingly  described  to 
the  Corinthian  Christians,  should  make  them  ashamed 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  he  says  in  his  Epistle  to  that 
church :  "I  write  not  these  things  to  shame  you,  but 
as  my  beloved  sons  I  warn  you ;  for  though  ye  have 
ten  thousand  instructors  in  Christ,  yet  have  ye  not 
many  fathers  :  for  in  Christ  Jesus  1  have  begotten  you 
through  the  Gospel.  Wherefore  I  beseech  you,  be  ye 
followers  of  me.  For  this  cause  have  I  sent  unto  you 
Timotheus,  who  is  my  beloved  son  and  faithful  in  the 
Lord,  who  shall  bring  you  into  remembrance  of  my 
ways,  which  be  in  Christ,  as  1  teach  every  where  in 
every  church." 

Where  is  the  zealous  minister  of  Christ  who  does 
Hot  meet  with  trials,  among  the  very  people,  for  whose 
welfare  he  is  expending  all  his  strength  ? 

This  holy  man  had  innumerable  trials,  antl  those 
arising  from  false  brethren  were  not  among  the  least. 
Pursuing  his  former  appeal  to  their  hearts,  he  adds ; 
"  now  some  are  puffed  up,  as  though  I  would  not  come 
to  you.  But  1  will  come  to  you  shortly,  if  the  Lord 
will,  and  will  know,  not  the  speech  of  them  that  are 
puffed  up,  but  the  power.  For  the  kingdom  of  God  is 
not  in  word,  but  in  power.  What  will  ye  ?  Shall  I 
come  unto  you  with  a  rod,  or  in  love,  and  in  the  spirit 
of  meekness  ?" 

13 


146  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

His  parental  fears  were  greatly  excited  for  the  Cor- 
inthian converts.  He  saw  among  them  much  to  com- 
mend and  much  to  blame. 

With  what  faithfulness  does  he  set  before  them  his 
holy  apprehensions  :  "  I  am  jealous  over  you  with  god- 
ly jealousy  ;  for  I  have  espoused  you  to  one  husband, 
that  I  may  present  you  as  a  chaste  virgin  to  Christ. 
But  I  fear,  lest  by  any  means,  as  the  serpent  beguiled 
Eve  through  his  subtlety,  so  your  minds  should  be  cor- 
rupted from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ." 

Though  at  a  distance  from  Colosse,  he  was  equally 
alive  to  the  dangers  which  surrounded  the  Christians 
in  that  city,  from  the  storms  of  persecution.  He 
therefore  writes  ;  "  1  would  that  ye  knew  what  great 
conflict  I  have  for  you,  and  for  them  at  Laodicea,  and 
for  as  many  as  have  not  seen  my  face  in  the  flesh ; 
that  their  hearts  might  be  comforted,  being  knit  to- 
gether in  love,  and  unto  all  riches  of  the  full  assurance 
of  understanding,  to  the  acknowledgment  of  the  mys- 
tery of  God,  and  of  the  Father,  and  of  Christ,  in  whom 
are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge." 

With  the  same  fatherly  spirit,  he  exhorted  the  He- 
brew Christians  ;  "  Take  heed,  brethren,  lest  there  be 
in  any  of  you  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  in  departing 
from  the  living  God.  But  exhort  one  another  daily, 
while  it  is  called  To-day,  lest  any  of  you  be  hardened 
through  the  deceitfulness  of  sin.  For  we  are  made 
partakers  of  Christ,  if  we  hold  the  beginning  of  our 
confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end." 

It  is  truly  beautiful  to  behold  this  combination  of 
tenderness  with  that  honest  plain-dealing  which  will 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  147 

not  suffer  sin  to  remain  unreproved  upon  a  Christian 
brother. 

The  divinely-taught  Apostle  was  well  acquainted 
with  the  decitfulness  of  the  heart  and  the  devices  of 
Satan.  He  knew  the  dangers  which  accompany  both 
the  smiles  and  the  frowns  of  the  world,  having  him- 
self experienced  both.  His  anxieties  were,  therefore, 
never  dormant,  respecting  those  young  believers  in 
Jesus,  whose  faith  might  be  shaken  through  the  af- 
flictions attendant  upon  a  zealous  profession  of  the 
Gospel. 

Another  striking  instance  of  his  solicitude  is  afforded 
us  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians  : — "  When  we 
could  no  longer  forbear,  we  thought  it  good  to  be  left 
at  Athens  alone,  and  sent  Timotheus,  our  brother  and 
minister  of  God,  and  our  fellow-labourer  in  the  Gospel 
of  Christ,  to  stablish  you,  and  to  comfort  you  concern- 
ing your  faith ;  that  no  man  should  be  moved  by  these 
afflictions  ;  for  yourselves  know  that  we  are  appointed 
thereunto :  When  I  could  no  longer  forbear,  I  sent  to 
know  your  faith,  lest  by  any  means  the  tempter  have 
tempted  you,  and  our  lahour  be  in  vain :  but  when 
Timotheus  came  from  you  unto  us,  and  brought  us 
good  tidings  of  your  faith  and  charity,  and  that  ye 
have  good  remembrance  of  us  always,  desiring  greatly 
to  see  us,  as  we  also  to  see  you,  therefore,  brethren, 
we  were  comforted  over  you  in  all  our  aflliction  and 
distress  by  your  faith :  for  now  we  live,  if  ye  stand 
fast  in  the  Lord." 

Then,  with  expanded  heart,  he  breaks  forth  into  the 
most  joyous  thanksgivings  to  God  : — "  What  thanks 


148  eHRlSTIAN    EXPERIEXGE. 

ean  we  render  to  God  again  for  you,  for  all  the  joy 
wherewith  we  joy  for  your  sakes  before  our  God 
Btght  and  day;  praying  exceedingly  that  we  might  see 
your  face,  and  might  perfect  that  which  is  lacking  in 
your  faith.  Now  God  himself,  and  our  Father  direct 
our  way  unto  you.'* 

Like  the  gardener,  he  was  most  solicitous  about  his 
tender  plants  ;  and  laboured  to  screen  th^m  from  the 
nipping  blast.  By  faith  and  prayer,  he  daily  com- 
mitted them  to  Him,  who  died  to  redeem  them  by  hi-s 
blood  ;  and  felt  assured,  that  He,  who  had  called  them 
by  his  grace,  would  preserve  them  unto  his  kingdom 
and  glory. 

No  one  had  a  clearer  perception  than  St.  Paul  of 
the  sovereignty  of  Divine  Grace,  and  the  stability  of 
the  Divine  Promises ;  yet  this  did  not  cause  him  ta 
relax  in  his  endeavours,  by  all  possible  means,  to  guard 
believers  against  the  subtlety  of  Satan,  the  si^ares  of 
the  world,  and  the  deceitfuhiess  of  sin. 

He  knew  the  inseparable  connexion  there  is  between 
the  means  and  the  end ;  that  the  one,  as  well  as  the 
other,  is  divinely  ordained.  To  the  ship's  crew  he 
said  :  "  There  shall  be  no  loss  of  any  man's  life  among 
you," — and*  yet  he  added,  *•  Except  these  abide  in-  the 
ship,  ye  cannot  be  saved.^^ 

His  constant  warning  therefore  was,  "  Let  him  that 
thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall.  Be  not 
high-minded,  but  fear.     Let  no  man  deceive  himself." 

How  many  err  in  practical  religion  by  following  hu- 
man theories,  instead  of  the  Word  of  God.  The  pur- 
poses of  Jehovah,  which  are  secret  to  us,  do  not  release 


GHKISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  149 

US  from  the  performance  of  revealed  duties.  "  The 
secret  things  belong  mito  the  Lord  our  God  :  but  those 
things  which  are  revealed  belong  unto  us,  and  our 
children  for  ever,  that  we  may  do  all  the  words  of  this 
law."  Therefore,  when  we  meet  with  a  plain  precept, 
we  should  simply  endeavour  ta  obey  it,  without  tarry- 
ing to  enquire  into  God's  hidden  purpose. 

Self-renunciation  was  a  prominent  feature  in  the 
conduct  of  St.  Paul.  Self  was  swallowed  up  in  that 
one  great  object,  to  promote  which  all  his  desires  cen- 
tred : — Christ  and  Him  crucified.  He  was  willing 
to  be  esteemed  as  nothing,  so  that  Christ  might  be  all 
and  in  all.  The  glory  of  Jesus  was  his  constant  aim, 
to  hold  him  forth  in  all  his  excellencies  was  his  de- 
light, though,  in  so  doing,  he  should  be  esteemed  by 
the  worldly  wise,  and  the  great  ones  of  the  earth,  as  a 
fool  for  Christ's  sake.  Thus,  with  beautiful  humility, 
he  told  the  Corinthians  ;  "  We  preach  not  ourselves, 
but  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  and  ourselves  your  servants 
for  Jesus'  sake." 

In  his  Epistle  to  the  Philippians  we  have  a  most  in- 
teresting instance  of  this  victory  over  selfish  feeling : 
"  I  would  ye  should  understand,  brethren,  that  the 
things  which  happened  unto  me  have  fallen  out  rather 
unto  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel ;  so  that  my  bonds 
in  Christ  are  manifest  in  all  the  palace,  and  in  all  other 
places  ;  and  many  of  the  brethren  in  the  Lord,  waxing 
confident  by  my  bonds,  are  much  more  bold  to  speak 
the  word  without  fear." 

How  cheering  it  must  have  been  to  the  Apostle,  in 
]3* 


150  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIEN-CE; 

the  midst  of  his  sufferings,  to  behold  the  Gospel  making 
its  conquests  in  the  palace  of  Caesar !  At  the  close  of 
this  Epistle  he  says,  "  All  the  saints  salute  you,  chiefly 
they  that  are  of  Cossar^s  household J'^  Oh  !  that  every 
palace  may  be  illuminated  by  the  Truth  of  the  Gospel, 
and  by  the  holy  lives  of  its  possessors.  Happy  is  that 
nation  where  God  is  known  in  its  palaces  as  a  sure 
refuge ;  where  its  king  is  a  nursing  father,  and  its 
queen  a  nursing  mother  to  his  Church.  Happy  is  that 
nation  which  is  in  such  a  case  ;  yea,  blessed  are  the^ 
people  who  have  the  Lord  for  their  God; 

That  the  bonds  of  the  Apostle  should  have  embold- 
ened others  to  speak  the  word  without  fear,  when  the 
natural  effect  might  have  been  intimidation,  was  a. 
cause  for  thankfulness.  But  in  the  midst  of  these  en- 
couragements, he  had  to  notice,  what  to  many  would 
have  been  a  painful  trial ;  "  Some  indeed  preach  Christ 
even  of  envy  and  strife,  and  some  also  of  good-will. 
The  one  preach  Christ  of  contention,  not  sincerelyi 
supposing  to  add  afliction  to  my  bonds ;  but  the  other 
of  love,  knowing  that  I  am  set  for  the  defence  of  the 
Gospel.  What  then  ?  notwithstanding  every  way, 
whether  in  pretence  or  in  truth,  Christ- is  preached,  and 
I  therein  rejoice,  yea,  and  will  rejoice :  for  I  know  that 
this  shall  turn  to  my  salvation  through  your  prayer^ 
and  the  supply  of  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ." 

Grace  shines  with  peculiar  lustre  in  this  generous 
feeling  of  his  heart.  No  spleen,  no  retaliating  passion 
of  envy,  or  ill-will  was  awakened  in  his  bosom.  All 
his  desire  was  that  Christ  should  be  preached  and 
sinners  saved.     Did  any  envy  his  success,  or  seek  to. 


cHRrsTrA.jr  experience.  151 

lessen  liim  in  the  esteem  of  others  ? — lie  bore  it  with 
patience.  Did  they  preach  Christ  as  the  only  Saviour 
of  sinners  ? — he  could,  and  did  rejoice,  even  though 
ihey  preached  Christ  of  envy  and /strife,  supposing  to 
add  affliction  to  his  bonds. 

Self  was  sacrificed  to  the  glory  of  the  Redeemer.. 
This  humble  servant  of  Christ  felt  no  keen  solicitude 
about  his  own  reputation,  if  only  the  riches  of  pardon- 
ing love,  through  a  crucified.  Jesus,  were  proclaimed 
to  the  world. 

Does  our  Christian  Experience  accord  with  this 
beautiful  spirit  and  temper  of  the  Apostle?  Those 
only  are  disciples  indeed,  who  have  the  mind  of  Christ, 
and  who  resemble  him  in  his  humility,  self-denial,  and 
love.  What  a  glorious  object  would  the  Christian 
Church  be,  yea,  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth,  if  all  its 
professing  members  were  filled  with  that  charity  which 
suffereth  long  and  is  kind ;  if  they  were  clothed  with 
that  lowliness  of  mind,  which  causes  each-  to  esteem 
others  better  than  themselves.  0  that  soverign  grace 
may  produce  in  rich  abundance  these  peaceable  fruits 
of  righteousness,— and  hasten  on  that  blissful  period, 
when  Jesus  will  reign  in  the  hearts  of  all  his  people, 
and  bless  the  earth  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun. 

Christian  Forbearance,  was  another  lovely  ex- 
cellence in  the  Apostle.  Understanding  well  the  glo- 
rious liberty  of  the  Gospel,  he  could  bear,  with  much 
long-suffering,  the  prejudices  of  weaker  brethren. 

How  seldom  do  old  established  Christians  make 
sufficient  allowance,  for  the  inexperience  and  infirmi- 


152  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ties  of  young  believers,  whose  minds,  just  opening  to 
the  Truth,  have  not  attained  to  the  stability  of  the 
Christian  cliaracter. 

Toward  these  babes  in  Christ,  much  tenderness 
should  be  manifested,  and  much  solicitude  exercised, 
as  the  nurse  watches  over  the  first  steps  of  her  infant 
charge. 

This  lovely  part  of  the  Apostle's  character  is  dis- 
played in  the  following  exhortations ;  "  Him  that  is 
weak  in  the  faith  receive  ye,  but  not  to  doubtful  dis- 
putations.. Let  us  not  judge  one  another  any  more  ; 
but  judge  this  rather,  that  no  man  put  a  stumbling-block 
or  an  occasion  to  fall  in  his  brother's  way..  We  that 
are  strong,,  ought  ta  bear  the  infirmities  of  the  weak, 
and  not  to  please  ourselves.  Let  every  one  of  us 
please  his  neigbour  for  his  good  to  edification,  for  even 
Christ  pleased  not  himself.  Give  none  offence,  nei- 
ther to  the  Jews,  nor  to  the  Gentiles,  nor  to  the  Church 
of  God :  even,  as  I  please  all  men  in  all  things,  not 
seeking  mine  own  profit,  but  the  profit  of  many,  that 
they  may  be  saved.  If  meat  make  my  brother  to  of- 
fend I  will  eat  no  flesh  while  the  world  standeth,  lest 
I  make  my  brother  to  ofKend." 

Living,  as  we  do,  in  a  Christian  country,  we  have 
not  to  encounter  the  Jewish  distinctions  of  meats 
and  drinks ;  nor  to  experience  the  offence  of  meat 
offered  unto  idols:  yet  the  duties  of  charity,  forbear- 
ance, and  self-denial  are  of  perpetual  obligation,  and 
m  one  way  or  other  are  called  into  daily  exercise.* 


*  Through  the  establishment  of  Temperance  Societies,  an  opportunity  is 
now  afforded,  for  exercising  this  forbearing  spirit,  so  beautifully  manifested 


CHRISTUN    EXPERIEXQE,  153 

Let  us  follow  after  the  things  which  make  for  peace^ 
aad  things  whereby  one  may  edify  another. 

This  was  the  truly  charitable  practice  of  the  Aposr- 
tie  :  "  All  things,  are  lawful  unto  me,  but  all  things  are 
not  expedient :.  All  things  are  lawful  for  me,  (meaning 
no  doubt  things  in  themselves  indifferent)  but  I  will 
not  be  brought  under  the  power  of  any.  I  keep  under 
by  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection,  lest  by  any  means, 
when  I  have  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a 
castaway."  Thus,  while  he  conscientiously  abstained 
from  whatever  might  offend  the  weakest  of  his  brethr 
ren,  he  most  carefully  avoided,  whatever  would  injjur© 
his  own.  soul. 

But  here  the  line  must  be  distinctly  drawn;   for. 


&i  the  conduct  of  the  Apostle.  If  he  would  not  eat  meat  offered  to  an 
idol,  lest  he  should  make  his  brother  to  offend  ;  how  much  rather  should  we, 
as  professing  Christians,  entirely  abstain,  by  voluntary  agreement,  from  the 
use  of  distilled  spirits,  except  for  medicinal  purposes ;  that  by  such  an  asso- 
Qjation,  we  may  promote  general  habits  of  temperance,  apd  thereby  digQoun- 
tenance  the  pernicious  practice  of  spirit-dritiking,  which  is  the  fatal  source 
of  crime  and  want,  of  disease  and  premature  death,  and  of  eternal  misery 
ia  the  world  to  come. 

"  Temperance  Societies,"  as  is  justly  stated  in  the  First  Report  of  the 
London  Institution,  "lay  as  their  basis,  these  two  principles— Christiaa 
ciiariiy  and  self-preservation. 

"  If  by  the  use  of  an  article,  even  of  wholesome  food,  temptation  i?  throwrt 
in  a  brother's  way.  Christian  charity  leads  us  to  abstain. 

"  The  members  of  Temperance  Societies  are  convinced  that  the  customa. 
ipary  use  of  distilled  spirits  by  the  temperate,  is  decidedly  calculated  to  cast 
a  stumbling-block  in  the  way  of  their  brethren,  and  therefore  they  abstain 
from  distilled  spirits. " 

This  act  of  forbearance,  though  Christian,  is  still  inferior  to  that  of  the 
Apostle.  He  was  willing  to  forego,  what  to  himself  would  have  been 
harmless,  lest  by  his  conduct,  others  might  be  emboldened  to  eat  what  tlieir 
consciences  condemned :  whilst  we  in  abstaining  from  the  use  of  spirituous 
liquours,  abstain  from  that  which  is  noxious  in  its  nature,  and  destructive  io 
ita  consequences,  both  iii^ourselvea  and:others4. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  154 

whilst  we  yield  to  the  prejudices  of  weaker  brethren, 
we  must  never  make  sinful  compliances  to  conciliate 
the  people  of  the  world.  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples, 
"  Woe  unto  you  when  all  men  shall  speak  well  of 
you  !  for  so  did  their  fathers  to  the  false  prophets." 

If,  then,  we  try  to  recommend  religion,  or  to  remove 
the  prejudice  of  worldly  persons,  by  departing  in  any 
instance  from  our  proper  character  as  professing  Chris- 
tians, we  deceive  ourselves,  and  discover  great  defect 
both  in  principal  and  judgment.  The  apostolic  injunc- 
tion is,  "  Let  your  conversation  be  as  becometh  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  Let  your  speech  be  alway  with 
grace.  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus."  Hence  our  duty  is 
plain  \  for  though  we  cannot  always  discourse  upon 
spiritual  things  ;  yet,  we  must  always  speak  in  the 
spirit  of  the  Gospel ;  and  though  we  cannot  always  be 
engaged  in  religious  exercises,  yet,  our  light  must  so 
shine  before  men,  that  they,  seeing  our  good  works, 
may  glorify  our  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 

As  believing  Christians,  we  must  never  conceal  our 
principles,  nor  shrink  from  an  open  confession  of  our 
faith.  If  we  call  Jesus  Lord,  we  are  bound  to  honour 
him,  by  a  cheerful  obedience  to  his  will,  whatever  ob- 
loquy it  may  bring  upon  us.  Sinful  compliances  are 
never  blessed  of  God  to  the  conviction  or  conversion 
of  ungodly  persons  ;  but  aften  end  in  the  confusion  of 
those  who  make  them. 

It  may  however  be  asked,  did  not  Paul  say,  "  I  am 
made  all  t.hings  to  all  men  that  I  might  by  all  means 
save  some  ?"     He  did — and  his  language  to  the  Cor- 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  155 

inthian  church  is  peculiarly  striking ;  "  Though  I  be 
free  from  all  men,  yet  have  I  made  myself  servant 
unto  all,  that  I  might  gain  the  more.  And  unto  the 
Jews,  I  became  as  a  Jew,  that  I  might  gain  the  Jews ; 
to  them  that  are  under  the  law,  as  under  the  law,  that 
I  might  gain  them  that  are  under  the  law.  To  them 
that  are  without  law,  as  without  law,  (being  not  with- 
out law  to  God,  but  under  the  law  to  Christ)  that  I 
might  gain  them  that  are  without  law.  To  the  weak, 
became  I  as  weak,  that  I  might  gain  the  weak ;  I  am 
made  all  things  to  all  men,  that  I  might  by  all  means 
save  some.  And  this  I  do  for  the  Gospel's  sake,  that 
I  might  be  partaker  thereof  with  you." 

From  his  whole  spirit  and  conduct,  it  is  evident,  that 
what  he  conceded  either  to  Jews  or  Gentiles,  were 
things  which  did  not  in  the  slightest  degree  affect  the 
fundamentals  of  the  Gospel.  Unlike  the  Pharisees, 
he  would  not  strain  at  a  gnat  and  swallow  a  camel ;  or 
tithe  the  mint,  anise,  and  cummin,  while  he  neglected 
the  weightier  matters  of  the  Law. 

The  religion  of  Paul  was  the  religion  of  the  heart, 
— a  religion  of  truth  and  love.  Though  he  could  bear 
with  the  infirmities  of  the  weak,  yet,  with  uncompro* 
mising  firmness,  he  maintained  the  purity  of  the  Gos- 
pel. Of  this,  he  has  given  us  two  striking  instances, 
which  are  highly  characteristic  of  his  charity  and  de- 
cision. He  told  the  Galatians,  who  were  drawn  away 
by  Judaizing  teachers  from  the  truth  of  the  Gospel, 
that  he  had  opposed  the  circumcision  of  Titus  (he  be- 
ing a  Gentile)  lest  the  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith 
should  appear  to  be  renounced ;    and  assured  them, 


156  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

that  if  they  were  circumcised,  Christ  wo\ild  ptofit 
them  nothing.  While,  in  perfect  consistency  with  this 
conduct,  he  took  Timothy,  (his  mother  being  a  Jewess) 
and  circumcised  him,  with  the  simple  view  of  render- 
ing him  more  acceptable,  and  his  ministry  more  suc- 
cessful among  the  Jews.  Thus  he  made  a  judicious 
and  important  distinction,  between  the  essentials  and 
the  non-ess-entials  of  religion. 

Acting  on  this  principle,  when  Gentiles  were  con- 
verted to  the  faith  of  Christ,  he  could  receive  them  as 
brethren,  and  eat  and  lodge  with  them,  in  opposition  to 
the  deeply-rooted  prejudices  of  the  Jewish  nation. 
And  this  he  did,  from  his  comprehensive  view  of 
Christian  liberty,  which,  whilst  it  delivered  him  from 
the  bondage  of  the  ceremonial  Law,  led  him  to  delight 
in  the  expansive  spirit  of  the  Gospel. 

In  his  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians  he  gives  us  abun- 
dant proof  of  his  utter  aversion  to  a  party  spirit,  which, 
•engendering  strife  and  schism,  rends  and  disfigures 
the  body  of  Christ. 

With  enlarged  heart  he  loved  all,  whether  Jews  or 
tjlentiles,  who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sinceri- 
ty ;  and  cheerfully  conformed,  for  the  sake  of  unity 
and  peace,  to  any  custom  which  compromised  no  Gos- 
pel principle,  militated  against  no  Gospel  doctrine,  and 
lowered  no  Gospel  precept. 

With  enlightened  mind  he  beheld  the  Christian  dis- 
pensation in  its  native  glory,  consisting,  not  in  meats 
and  drinks,  not  in  forms  and  ceremonies,  not  in  human 
systems  and  opinions,  but  in  righteousness,  and  peace, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 


CT^RIST1AN    EXPERIEN-CE.  157 

With  hcAy  delight  he  saw  the  blessing  of  Abraham 
descend  on  the  Gentiles  through  Jesus  Christ,  that 
they,  as  well  as  the  Jews,  might  receive  the  promise 
of  the  Spirit  through  faith. 

With  fervent  desire  he  thus  expressed  himself  to  the 
church  of  Rom« ;  "Now  the  God  of  hope  fill  you 
with  all  joy  and  peac«  in  believing,  that  ye  may  abound 
in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And 
I  myself  am  persuaded  of  you,  my  brethren,  that  ye 
also  are  full  of  goodness,  filled  with  all  knowledge, 
able  to  admonish  one  another.  Nevertheless,  brethren, 
1  have  written  the  more  boldly  unto  you  in  some  sort, 
as  putting  you  in  mind,  because  of  the  grace  that  is 
given  to  me  of  God,  that  I  should  be  the  minister  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  the  Gentiles,  ministering  the  Gospel  of 
God,  that  the  offenng  up  of  the  Gentiles  might  be  a-c- 
ceptable,  being  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Entering  fully  into  the  design  of  the  Gospel,  which, 
like  the  leaves  of  the  Tree  of  Life,  is  for  the  healing 
of  the  nations,  he  was  ready  to  become  all  things  to 
all  men  ;  and  to  seek  the  profit  of  many,  that  they 
might  be  saved.  Few,  comparatively,  attain  to  this  ex- 
alted standard  of  Christian  Experience  ;  for  "  All  seek 
their  own,  not  the  things  which  are  Jesus  Christ's." 

To  love  the  Gospel  for  its  own  sake,  and  to  love 
those  who  live  under  its  sanctifying  influence,  though 
in  minor  things  they  differ  from  us,  is  to  imbibe  the 
catholic  spirit  of  St.  Paul.  The  exclusive  love  of  our 
own  party,  which  closes  our  hearts  against  those  who 
follow  not  with  us,  even  though  they  be  the  followers 
14 


158        .  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

of  Christ,  is  the  very  bane  of  Christian  unity,  and  the 
fruitful  source  of  evil. 

Happy  indeed  will  that  period  be,  when  the  envy  of 
Ephraim  shall  depart ; — when  Ephraim  shall  not  envy 
Judah,  and  Judah  shall  not  vex  Ephraim  ; — when  all 
the  tribes  of  the  Lord  shall  love  as  brethren,  and  unite 
with  one  mind  and  heart  in  promoting  the  glory  of 
Jehovah  ! 

Much  wisdom  and  love,  much  faithfulness  and  for- 
bearance, are  required  in  the  ministers  of  Christ. 
Their  whole  spirit  and  life  should  be  a  comment  upon 
the  Word  which  they  preach. 

This  holy  conformity  to  the  Gospel  should  also  be 
visible  in  all  who  profess  to  believe  in  Jesus.  It  was 
so  with  many  of  the  Corinthians.  With  what  joy 
could  the  Apostle  declare  :  "  Ye  are  our  Epistle  writ- 
ten in  our  hearts,  known  and  read  of  all  men  :  foras- 
much as  ye  are  manifestly  declared  to  be  the  Epistle 
of  Christ  ministered  by  us,  written  not  with  ink,  but 
with  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God ;  not  in  tables '  of 
stone,  but  in  the  fleshy  tables  of  the  heart." 

Also,  over  many  of  the  Thessalonians  he  was  much 
comforted  ;  "  Ye  were  ensamples  to  all  that  believe  in 
Macedonia  and  Achaia.  For  from  you  sounded  out 
the  Word  of  the  Lord  not  only  in  Macedonia  and 
Achaia,  but  also  in  every  place  your  faith  to  God-ward 
is  spread  abroad,  so  that  we  need  not  to  speak  any 
thing." 

A  character,  so  opposite  in  principle  and  practice, 
to  that  which  the  world  admires,  is  the  work  of  Al- 
mighty Power.     "  If  any  man  among  you,"  saith  the 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  159 

Apostle,  "  seemeth  to  be  wise  in  this  world,  let  him 
become  a  fool,  that  he  may  be  wise  ;  for  the  wisdom 
of  this  world  is  foolishness  with  God." 

However  much  an  ungodly  world  may  despise  the 
faithful  ambassador  of  Christ,  there  is  a  sanctity  of 
spirit,  a  purity  of  purpose,  an  energy  of  action,  dis- 
played in  his  character,  which  mark  him  out  as  a  cho- 
sen vessel ;  as  one  whom  Jesus  delights  to  honour. 

How  important  are  the  titles  which  he  bears  in  the 
Word  of  God: — ^a  pastor,  a  teacher,  a  steward,  a 
watchman,  a  builder,  a  labourer.  How  incessant  his 
care,  his  wisdom,  his  fidelity,  his  vigilance,  his  exer- 
tion. Who  can  estimate  the  value  of  such  a  man, 
whose  life  is  thus  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Truth? 
We  should  honour  him,  as  the  glory  of  the  churches, 
and  the  messenger  of  Christ.  We  should  esteem  him 
very  highly  in  love  for  his  work's  sake. 

"  Nature  teaches  us  to  love  our  benefactors,  and  the 
grace  of  God  will  inspire  a  particular  affection  to  those 
who  have  been  the  instruments  of  our  spiritual  good. 
Indifference  to  the  persons  and  interests  of  the  minis- 
ters of  religion  proceeds  from  indifference  to  religion 
itself,  and  may  be  justly  considered  as  a  proof,  that 
those,  in  whom  this  temper  prevails,  have  not  experi- 
enced the  peace  and  comfort  which  the  instructions 
and  exhortations  of  the  faithful  servants  of  Jesus 
Christ  communicate  to  believers." 

The  jailor  at  Philippi,  when  converted  to  the  faith 
of  Christ,  overflowed  with  gratitude  to  the  instruments 
of  his  conversion.  "  He  took  Paul  and  Silas  the 
same  hour  of  the  night,  and  washed  their  stripes  ;  and 


160  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

was  baptized,  he  and  all  his,  straightway.  And  when 
he  had  brought  them  iota  his  house,  he  set  meat  before 
them,  and  rejoiced,  believing  in  God  with  all  his  house." 
I^ydia^  when  she  was  baptized  and,  her  household,  be- 
sought these  honoured  servants  of  Christ,  saying,  "  If 
ye  have  judged  me  to  be  faithful  to  the  Lord,  come  in- 
to my  house  and  abide  there.  And  she  constrained 
them."  To  Gaius,  St.  John,  writes,  "  Beloved,  thou, 
doest  faithfully  whatsoever  thou  doest  to  the  brethren 
ajnd  to  strangers;  which  have  borne  witness,  of  thy 
charity  before  the  church." 

If  the  ministerial  character  be  so  elevated ;:  if  the. 
work  to  be  achieved  be  so  arduous ;  if  the  stream  of 
opposition  rolling  against  it  be  so  powerful ;  well  might 
the  holy  Apostle  exclaim,  "  Who  is  sufficient  for  these 
things  ?"  Truly  God  only  can  give,  what  may  em- 
phatically be  calkd  a  ministet's  heart.  Such  a  heart 
af  devotedness  to  Christ,  was  imparted  to  Paul ;  and 
such  a  heart  of  faithfulness  and  love  dwells  in  all,  who 
are  truly,  called  by  his  grace,  to  serve  Him  in  the  Gos- 
pel of  his  Son. 

"  O !  for  that  flame  of  living  fire  ' 

Which, shone  so  bright  in  saints  of  old ; 
Which  bade  their  souls  to  heav'n  aspire, 
Calm  in  distress,  in  danger  bold. 

"  Where  is  that  Spirit,  Lord,  which  dwelt 

In  Abraham's  breast,  and  seal'd  him  thine; 
Which  made  Paul's  heart  with  sorrow  melt, 
And  glow  with  energy  divine  1 

"That  Spirit,  which  from  age  to  age 

Proclaim'd  thy  love,  and  taught  thy  ways ; 
Brighten'd  Isaiah's  viv^d  page. 
And  breath'd  in  David's  hallow'd  lays  1 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  161 

'  Is  not  thy  grace  as  mighty  now 
As  when  Elijah  felt  its  pow'r ; 
When  glory  beam'd  from  Moses'  brow, 
Or  Job  endur'd  the  trying  hour  f 

'  Remember,  Lord,  the  ancient  days ; 
Renew  thy  work,  thy  grace  restore  ; 
Warm  our  cold  liearts  to  pray'r  and  praise, 
And  teach  us  how  to  love  thee  more. " 

14* 


CHAPTER    X. 

On  the  character  of  st.  paul,  as  a  man  of  pray-- 
ER.     His  unbending  integrity. 

Prayer  is  the  cry  of  a  new-born  soul,  the  sigh  of 
penitence,  the  language  of  desire,  the  breath,  of  faith. 
Contrition,  humility,  faith,  and  thankfulness,  form  the 
essence  of  acceptable  prayer.  He  who  commands  us 
to  pray,  can  alone  impart  the  spirit  of  prayer.  Our 
blessed  Saviour  has  not  only  taught  and  commanded 
us  to  pray,  but  did  Himself  set  us  an  affecting  exam- 
ple of  fervent  prayer. 

At  his  baptism,  while  he  was  praying,  the  heavens, 
opened,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  descended  uport  him. 

Just  before  he  chose  his  twelve  Apostles,  he  went 
out  into  a  mountain  to  pray,  and  continued  all  night  in» 
prayer  to  God. 

At  another  time,  in  the  morning,  rising  up  a  great 
while  before  day,, he  went  out  and  departed  into  a  sol- 
itary place,  and  there  prayed. 

When  great  multitudes  came  together  to  hear  and  to 
be  healed  by  him  of  their  infirmities,  he  graciously 
supplied  their  spiritual  and  bodily  wants,  and  then 
withdrew  into  the  wilderness  and  prayed. 

"Taking  with  him  Peter,  and  James,  and  John, 
Jfisus  went  up  into  a  mountain  to  pray.     And  as  he- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  163 

prayed,  the  fashion  of  his  countenance  was  altered, 
and  his  raiment  was  white  and  glistering,,  and  a  voice 
out  of  the  overshadowing  cloud,  said,  This  is  my  be- 
loved Son  :  hear  him."  When  his  soul  was  put  to 
grief  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane,.  being  in  an  agony, 
he  prayed  more  earnestly,  saying,  "  Father,,  if  thou  be 
willing,  remove  this  cup  from  me,  nevertheless,  not.  my 
will,  but  thine  be  done." 

Like  their  Divine  Master,  all  true  believers-  have 
been,  and  still  are,^a  praying  people.  To  live  without 
prayer  is  to  live  without  God  in  the  world.  True  spir- 
itual prayer  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  I.t.  is  the 
earnest  of  every  promised  blessing.  A  praying  soul 
i-s  a  thriving  soul ;  for  as  all  things  are  possible  to  him 
that  believeth,  so  all  needful  things  shall  be  granted  to 
the  prayer  of  faith.. 

St.  Paul  was  a  man  of  prayer. — With  holy  fer- 
vour he  daily  poured  out  his  heart  to  God,  in  behalf  of 
the  churches  which  he  had  planted  amidst  the  wilds 
of  Heathen  superstition. 

As  the  first  evidence  of  his  conversion,  was,  "  Be- 
hold he  prayeth ;"  so  this  mark  of  his  adoption  into 
the  family  of  God  was  never  obscured. 

In  the  spirit  of  a  child,  he  approached  God,  as  his 
Father  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  felt  anxious  that  all  within 
the  sphere  of  his  influence  should  enjoy  the  blessed- 
ness of  adoption. 

How  sweetly  did  he  display  this  privilege  of  the 
believer  in  Jesus  to  the  church  at  Rome  :  "  Ye  have 
i}0t  received,  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear,  but  y.e 


164  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

have  received-  the  spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry. ; 
Abba,  Father..  The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with 
Gur  spirit  that  we  are  the  children  of  God ;  and  if 
children,  then' heirs,  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with 
Christ ;  if  so  be  that  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may 
be  also  glorified  together." 

This  exalted  privilege  of  sonship,  the  Apostle  made 
known  also  to  the  Christians  of  Galatia :  "When  the 
fulness  of  the  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  Son, 
made  of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to  redeem 
them  that  were  under  the  law,  that  we^  might  receive 
the  adoption  of  sons.  And  because  ye  are  sons,  God 
hath  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts^ 
crying :.  Abba,  Father.  Wherefore,  thou  art  no  more 
a  servant,  but  a  son :  and  if  a  Son,  then  an  heir  of 
God  through  Christ.  For  ye  are  all  the  children  of 
God  by  faith  ia  Christ  Jesus." 

Happy  indeed  are  they,  who  are  thus  admitted  into 
the  family  of  God  ;  each  member  of  which  can  sweet- 
ly sing : — 


/ 


"  My  Father  God  I  how  sweet  the  sound ! 
How  tender  and  how  dear ! 
Not  all  the  harmony  of  heav'n, 
Could  so  delight  the  ear. 

"  Come,  sacred  Spirit,  seal  the  name, 
On  my  expanding  heart ; 
And -show,  that  in  Jehovah's  grace, 
I  share  a  filial  part. " 


To  believe  in  Jesus  with  the  heart  unto  righteous- 
ness, to  love  him  with  supreme  affection,  to  live  under 
the  sanctifying  influence  of  his  Spirit,  to  draw  nigh  to 
God  with  the  confidence  of  children,  and  to  be  assur- 


CMfRI«TIAN    EXPERIENCE.  165  ' 

©d  that  our  persons  and  services  are  accepted  ia  the 
Beloved,  is  the  very  essence  of  Christianity. 

How  animating  is  the  promise  of  Jesus  to  his  dis- 
ciples ;  "  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name  believ^ 
^gj  y^  shall  receive."  BaU  some  may  say  ;  how  can 
we  thus  pray  ?  Is  not  faith  the  gift  of  God  ;:  and  are 
230t  our  hearts  naturally  averse  from  this,  spiritual  duty? 

J«sus  wha  kindly  supplies  all'  our  need  according 
lo  the  rich>es  of  his  grace,  has-  left  nothing  undone  in 
his  work  of  mercy.  His  chosen  servant  was  divine- 
ly directed  to  encourage  the  hope  of  sinners,  and  ta 
animate  the  efforts  of  believers.  '^  The-  Spirit,"  saitb 
he  to  the  Romans,  "  helpeth  our  infirmities,  for  we 
know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought ;  but 
the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  us,  with  groan- 
ings,  that  cannot  be  uttered.  And  he  that  searcheth 
the  hearts,  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of  the  Spirit, 
because  he  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints,  accord- 
ing to  the  will  of  God."  Thus,  provision  is  made  for 
every  Christian  pilgrim,  who,  journeying  on  his  way 
to    Zion,  beholds   these    encouraging   words, — "ask, 

SEEK,  KNOCK." 

But  must  souls  dead  in  sin  he  exhorted  to  pray? 
Certainly  they  must ;  because  prayer  is  of  divine  ap-. 
pointment ;  and  because  all,  without  exception,  are 
dependent  upon  Divine  Gyoodness,  and  stand  in  need 
of  Divine  Mercy. 

Prayer  is  the  cry  of  need.  The  infant  cries,  when- 
its  necessities  are  felfc;  and  so  does  the  convinced  sin- 
ner, vKhen  a.wakened  by  the  spirit  to  a  sense  of  his. 
danger.     The  hmnble  performance  of  duly,  is  infinite-- 


166  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ly  better  than  a  thousand  speculations  upon  it.  Man's 
moral  inability  cannot  take  away  God's  right  in  com- 
manding, nor  man's  guilt  in  not  obeying  the  Divine 
Law. 

A  prayerless  soul  is  a  Christless  soul.  Sinners 
must  therefore  be  roused  from  their  perilous  state,  and 
in  the  powerful  language  of  Isaiah,  exhorted  to  seek 
after,  and  call  upon  God  : — "  Seek  ye  the  Lord  while 
he  may  be  found,  call  ye  upon  him  while  he  is  near : 
let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous 
man  his  thoughts  :  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord, 
and  he  will  have  mercy  upon  him ;  and  to  our  God, 
for  he  will  abundantly  pardon.  For  my  thoughts  are 
not  your  thoughts,  neither  are  your  ways  my  ways 
saith  the  Lord." 

While  men  are  speculating,  sinners  are  perishing, 
and  Satan  triumphing.  Time  is  short — Eternity  is  open- 
ing upon  us.  Now,  only  now,  is  the  accepted  time. 
Sinners  must  therefore  be  urged  to  cry  for  mercy, 
through  the  blood  of  Christ ;  leaving  it  with  God  to 
bless  his  own  appointed  means,  who  worketh  in  us  to 
will  and  to  do  according  to  his  good  pleasure. 

Peter  said  to  Simon  Magus,  "  Thy  heart  is  not 
right  in  the  sight  of  God.  Repent,  therefore,  of  this 
thy  wickedness,  and  pray  God,  if  perhaps  the  thought 
of  thine  heart  may  be  forgiven  thee,  for  I  perceive, 
that  thou  art  in  the  gall  of  bitterness,  and  in  the  bond 
of  iniquity.** 

On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  Peter  preached  to  a  mul- 
titude of  sinners,  whom  he  addressed  as  the  crucifiers 
of  Jesus.    And  what  was  the  eflfect  produced  ? — They 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  167 

were  pricked  in  their  hearts ;  and  cried,  "  Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ?"  Disregarding  all  meta- 
physical distinctions  about  the  bondage  and  freedom  of 
the  will,  Peter,  under  the  immediate  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  thus  addressed  the  convicted  multitude : 
— "Repent  and  be  baptized  everyone  of  you  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and 
ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  "  And 
with  many  other  words  did  he  testify  and  exhort,  say* 
ing.  Save  yourselves  from  this  untoward  generation." 
Then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  baptized, 
and  the  same  day  there  were  added  unto  them  about 
three  thousand  souls.  Thus,  Scripture  and  Experi- 
ence attest,  in  spite  of  human  theories,  that  "faith 
cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  word  of  God." 

If  sinners  ought  to  be  exhorted  to  seek  for  mercy, 
surely  saints  must  be  stirred  up  to  fervent  prayer.  It 
is  their  duty  and  their  privilege ;  their  strength  and 
their  consolation. 

How  encouraging  are  the  promises  of  Jesus ; 
"  When  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when 
thou  hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in 
secret ;  and  thy  Father  which  seeth  in  secret,  shall 
reward  thee  openly."  "  Where  two  or  three  are  gath- 
ered together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of 
them."  Thus,  a  blessing  is  pronounced  on  secret, 
and  on  social  prayer.  If  they  who  fear  the  Lord, 
speak  often  one  to  another  ;  how  much  more  will  they 
delight  to  hold  communion  with  their  heavenly  Father 
through  the  Son  of  his  love. 

Reader,  is  prayer  the  delightful  exercise  of  thy  soul  ? 


168  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIEXCE. 

Are  thy  refreshments  sought  for^  and  obtainied,  at  the 
throne  of  grace  ?  Hast  thou  access,  by  faith  in  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  to  the  Father  of  mercies,  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 

Many  are  the  apostolic  exhortations  to  prayer : 
"  Pray  without  ceasing — Continue  instant  in  prayer — 
Give  yourselves  onto  prayer — I  will  that  men  pray 
every  where." 

"  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
availeth  much."  This  made  St.  Paul  very  desirous  to 
have  the  prayers  of  all  the  churches  in  his  behalf 

He  entreats  the  Thessalonians ;  "  Brethren,  pray 
for  us,  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  may  have  free  course, 
and  be  glorified  ;  and  that  we  may  be  delivered  from 
Unreasonable  and  wioked  men ;  for  all  men  have  not 
faith." 

To  the  Hebrews  he  writes ;  "  Pray  for  us,  for  we 
ttust  we  have  a  good  conscience,  in  all  things  willing 
to  live  honestly ;  but  I  beseech  you  the  rather  to  do 
this,  that  I  may  be  restored  to  you  the  sooner." 

To  the  Corinthians  ;  "  We  had  the  senten-ce  of  death 
in  ourselves,  that  we  should  not  trust  in  ourselves,  but 
in  God,  which  raiseth  the  dead ;  who  delivered  us 
from  so  great  a  death,  and  doth  deliver,  in  whom  we 
trust  that  he  will  yet  deliver  us  ;  ye  also  helping  to- 
gether by  prayer  for  us,  that  for  the  gift  bestowed  upon 
us  by  the  means  of  many  persons,  thanks  may  be  given 
by  many  on  our  behalf." 

To  the  Philippians  ;  "  I  know  that  this  shall  turn  to 
my  salvation  through  your  prayer,  and  the  supply  of 
the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ." 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  139 

To  the  Romans  ;  "  Now,  I  beseech  you,  brethren, 
for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  and  for  the  love  of 
the  Spirit,  that  ye  strive  together  with  me  in  your 
prayers  to  God  for  me,  that  I  may  be  delivered  from 
them  that  do  not  believe  in  Judaea ;  and  that  my  ser- 
vice which  I  have  for  Jerusalem  may  be  accepted  of 
the  saints,  that  I  may  come  unto  you  with  joy  by  the 
will  of  God,  and  may  with  you  be  refreshed." 

To  Philemon ;  "  Prepare  me  a  lodging,  for  I  trust 
that  through  your  prayers,  I  shall  be  given  unto  you." 

These  highly  interesting  extracts  show  how  much 
even  an  inspired  Apostle  valued  intercessory  prayer. 
How  delightful  is  the  thought,  that  Christian  friends, 
though  separated  from  each  other,  may  meet  in  spirit 
at  a  throne  of  grace. 

To  the  true  believer,  prayer  is  a  precious  privilege. 
At  the  mercy-seat,  sprinkled  with  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
he  pours  out  his  heart,  makes  known  his  wants,  and 
derives  renewed  strength  to  perform  his  duties.  There 
he  lays  his  burden  at  the  feet  of  his  Saviour,  and  there 
he  is  filled  with  peace  and  joy.  Like  Hannah,  he 
goes  to  his  God  with  a  sorrowful  spirit,  and  like  her, 
he  returns  with  a  gladsome  heart.  With  David  he 
cries, — "  Return,  0  Lord,  deliver  my  soul,  0  save  me, 
for  thy  mercies'  sake."  And  with  him  he  sings — 
"The  Lord  hath  heard  my  supplication  ;  the  Lord  hath 
received  my  prayer.  I  will  praise  the  Lord  according 
to  his  righteousness,  and  will  sing  praise  to  the  name 
of  the  Lord  most  high."  Full  of  faith  and  love,  his 
bowels  yearn  over  perishing  sinners — he  makes  inter- 
cession for  all  men — stands  in  the  gap  in  seasons  of 
15 


170  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIEN1CE. 

national  judgments — and  pleads  with  his  God  in  be- 
half of  a  guilty  land. 

Thus,  the  praying  Christian  is  the  true  patriot — the 
best  friend  to  his  native  country.  Such  a  national 
blessing  did  Elisha  esteem  the  prayers  of  Elijah,  when 
he  cried  after  the  ascending  Prophet, — "  the  chariot 
of  Israel,  and  the  horsemen  thereof." 

Oh !  that  our  Elijahs  may  be  jealous  for  the  Lord 
their  God  ;  and  lift  up  the  voice  of  earnest  supplication 
to  him  that  smiteth.  For,  wrath  has  gone  out  from 
the  Lord — the  plague  is  begun.  Commissioned  by 
that  Almighty  Being,  whose  name,  whose  Word,  whose 
day  is  profaned,  death  has  entered  our  land  in  its  most 
frightful  form. — The  pestilence  which  walketh  in  dark- 
ness, and  the  sickness  which  wasteth  at  noon-day,  are 
now  sweeping  into  eternity  the  thoughtless  and  unpre- 
pared. How  loud  is  the  call — "  Prepare  to  meet  thy 
God."  How  solemn  the  warning — "  Set  thine  house 
in  order,  for  thou  shalt  die  and  not  live." 

0  that  the  servants  of  Christ,  in  this  our  time  of 
danger  and  desolation,  may  be  stirred  up  to  fervent 
prayer.  Did  we  as  a  nation  humble  ourselves  under 
the  mighty  hand  of  God :  did  we  plead  in  faith  the 
merits  of  the  Great  Atonement  ;  then  would  his 
wrath  be  turned  away,  and  his  blessing  would  descend 
upon  us.  With  united  hearts  let  us  supplicate  the  God 
of  Britain,  that  His  Spirit  may  be  poured  out  on  our 
king,  our  princes,  our  priests,  and  on  all  the  people  of 
these  realms,  that  England  may  still  be  His  peculiar 
treasure — the  Ark  to  bear  His  Truth — the  honour- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  171 

ed  instrument,   in   His  hands,  for   evangelizing   the 
worlcL* 

St.  Paul  was  a  man  of  unbending  integrity. — 
He  may  truly  be  called  a  transparent  character.  There 
was  nothing  dark  or  ambiguous  about  him.  All  was 
open,  ingenuous,  sincere.     He  walked  in  the  light. 

Holding  sacred  the  dictates  of  conscience,  he  sought 
its  approving  testimony  !  Hence  he  could  say,  "  Our 
rejoicing  is  this,  the  testimony  of  our  conscience,  that 
in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  not  with  fleshly  wis- 
dom, but  by  the  grace  of  God,  we  have  had  our  con- 
versation in  the  world." 

When  accused  before  Felix  as  a  mover  of  sedition, 
he  boldly  asserted  his  conscious  rectitude  :  "  Herein 
do  I  exercise  myself,  to  have  always  a  conscience 
void  of  offence  toward  God  and  toward  man." 

In  all  ages,  the  faithful  servants  of  Christ  have  been 
charged  with  fomenting  divisions,  and  turning  the 
world  upside  down.    They  have  been  treated  as  "  pes- 


*  The  most  unthinking  must  surely  be  awakened  to  a  sense  of  danger, 
when  that  sweeping  Pestilence,  the  Asiatic  Spasmodic  Cholera,  has  been 
brought,  by  the  immediate  hand  of  God,  into  this  country. 

Its  desolating  ravages  in  India— Persia— and  the  Turkisli  Dominions  in 
Asia,  Africa,  and  Europe  ;  its  awful  eflFects  in  Hungary— Russia— Prussia— 
and  France ;  its  milder,  but  progressive  work  of  destruction  in  our  own 
Island,  are  calculated  to  arrest  the  thoughtless— and  lead  all  to  listen  to  the 
voice  of  God,  speaking  to  the  Nations  by  this  tremendous  scourge.— God 
has  evidently  a  controversy  with  his  people.  He  has  made  bare  his  arm  in 
righteous  judgment.  But  how  gently  does  he  deal  with  us !  We  have  only 
felt  the  sprinkling  of  the  storm.  If  we  do  not  repent,  the  overwhelming  flood 
may  soon  descend  upon  us,  hurrying  whole  cities  into  one  common  grave.— 
Oh  !  that  England  may  know  the  time  of  her  visitation;  then  will  God  be 
gracious  unto  our  land,  and  pity  his  people.. 


17!^  <;hristian  experience. 

tilent  fellows,"  because  they  testify  of  the  world,  that 
the  works  thereof  are  evil.  But,  like  the  upright 
Apostle,  they  can  appeal  with  confidence  to  the  Search- 
er of  hearts.  He  knows  their  inmost  desires  to  pro- 
mote His  glory,,  and  the  best  interests  of  mankind. 
Possessing  these  two  blessings  "  an  approving  con- 
science, and  a  smiling  heaven,"  they  can  bear  with 
{jatience  the  contumely  of  the  wicked,  and  labour  for 
the  good  of  those  who  seek  their  hurt. 

As  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  St.  Paul  was  faithful 
to  his  trust.  While  the  priests  of  heathen  deities,  the 
better  to  delude  their  votaries,  were  throwing  a  veil  of 
mystery  around  their  superstitions  ;•  he,  as  the  servant 
of  Jehovah,  had  no  object  but  to  disseminate  the  light 
of  Truth,  no  motive  but  that  of  fervent  love  to  the 
Redeemer. 

Neither  did  he  shrink  from  human  scrutiny,  nor 
wrap  himself  up  in  falsehoods.  Like  Samuel  of  old, 
he  could  appeal  to  the  churches  with  fearless  integrity, 
"  We  have  renounced  the  hidden  things  of  dishonest)'-, 
not  walking  in  craftiness,  nor  handling  the  Word  of 
God  deceitfully ;  but  by  manifestation  of  the  Truth^ 
commending  ourselves  to  every  man's  conscience  in 
the  sight  of  God.  We  are  made  manifest  unto  God, 
and  1  trust  also  are  made  manifest  in  your  consciences. 
For  our  exhortation  was  not  of  deceit,  nor  of  unclean- 
ness,  nor  in  guile  ;  but  as  we  were  allowed  of  God  to 
be  put  in  trust  with  the  Gospel,  even  so  we  speak,  not 
as  pleasing  men,  but  God,  which  trieth  our  hearts  ;  for 
neither  at  any  time  used  we  flattering  words  as  ye 
know,  nor  a  cloke  of  covetousness,  God  is  witness." 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  173 

Thus  he  appealed  to  them,  with  respect  to  his  words, 
and  to  God,  as  touching  his  heart.  They  knew  that 
he  had  used  no  "  flattering  words."  And,  he  knew, 
that  God  was  witness  to  the  inward  purity  of  his  mo- 
tives in  preaching  the  Gospel  among  them. 

Such  was  the  straight-forwardness  of  St.  Paul's  con- 
duct. This  holy  man  had  no  sinister  ends  in  view. 
He  coveted  not  the  passing  glories  of  a  world  which 
lieth  in  wickedness,  nor  the  applause  of  dying  multi- 
tudes.— His  treasure,  and  his  heart  were  in  heaven. 
No.  privation  could  draw  a  murmur  from  his  lips,  nor 
cause  him  to  think  hardly  of  his  God  and  Saviour. 
His  anxieties  did  not  spring  from  selfish  considera- 
tions, nor  from  fear  of  personal  inconveniences.  Far 
otherwise — all  his  anxiety  was,  to  make  known  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  whatever  grief  or  loss, 
whatever  pain  or  death,  might  accompany  his  labour. 

With  unspeakable  joy  he  could  say  to  the  Corinthi- 
ans, "  Thanks  be  unto  God  which  always  causeth  us 
to  triumph  in  Christ,  and-  maketh  manifest  the  savour 
of  his  knowledge  by  us  in  every  place.  For  we  are 
unto  God  a  sweet  savour  of  Christ,  in  them  that  are 
saved,  and  in  them  that  perish :  To  the  one,  we  are 
the  savour  of  death  unto  death,  and  to  the  other,  the 
savour  of  life  unto  life.  And  who  is  sufficient  for 
thes«  things?  For  we  are  not  as  many,  which  cor- 
rupt the  word  of  God  ;  but  as  of  sincerity,  but  as  of 
God,  in  the  sight  of  God,  speak  we  in  Christ." 

Sincerity  is  a  pearl  of  great  price  ;  without  it,  reli- 
gion is  an  empty  name.  The  most  gifted  talents  are 
of  little  worth,  if  unaccompanied  by  this  Christian 
15* 


174  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

grace  ;  while,  clothed  with  it,  the  humblest  attainments 
are  pleasing  unto  God,  who  seeth  not  as  man  seelh. 

Religion  has  its  seat  in  the  heart.  There,  must  its 
power  be  felt ;  and  from  thence,  must  its  light  proceed. 
To  possess  a  single  eye,  which  aims  at  -nothing  but 
the  glory  of  Jesus,  and  simplicity  of  heart,  which  ab- 
hors every  species  of  guile,  is  to  possess  the  spirit  of 
the  Gospel, 

While  the  mind  is  engaged  in  holy  meditations  oa 
the  glories  of  redemption,  the  affections  of  the  heart 
must  be  captivated  by  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the  will 
inclined  to  serve  him  with  all  its  powers.  This  is 
genuine  Christianity;  the  workmanship  of  God, 

"  O  Saviour,  may  we  never  rest 
Till  thou  art  form'd  within ; 
Till  thou  hast  calm'd  our  troubled  breast, 
And  crush'd  the  power  of  sin. 

"  O  n>ay  we  gaze  upon  tUy  cross. 
Until  the  wondrous  sight 
Makes  earthly  treasures  seem  but  dross, 
And  earthly  sorrows  light : 

'*  Until  releas'd  from  carnal  ties  • 
Oar  spirit  upward  springs ; 
And  sees  true  peace  above  the  skiea, 
True  joy  in  heav'nly  things. 

"  There,  as  we  gaze,  may  we  become 
United,  Lord,  to  thee ; 
And  in  a  fairer,  happier  home 
Thy  perfect  beauty  see." 


CHAPTER    XI. 

St.  Paul's  faithfulness  in  reproving.     His  obet 
dience  to  civil  government. 

AiMONG  the  many  duties  which  compass  the  walk  of 
the  behever,  few  are  more  difficult  to  perform,  than 
that  of  Christian  reproof. 

We  might  naturally  expect,,  that  the  great  Apostle 
would  be  faithful  in  the  performance  of  this  duty.  And 
60  he  was.  Under  every  circumstance,  however  dif- 
ficult or  delicate,  arising  either  from  opposition  or  affec-- 
tion,  St,  Paul  was  a  faithful  reprover.  By  the 
light  of  Truth,  he  could  discern  the  least  deviation 
from,  the  path  of  rectitude  ;  and  guided  by  a  spirit  of 
love,  he  was  ever  ready  to  impart  the  faithful  admo- 
nition. 

Much  wisdom,  combined  with  kindness,  is  required^ 
in  the  reprover,  and  much  humility,  blended  with 
tliankfulnessj.in  the  reproved;,  for,  "As  an  ear-ring  of 
gold  and  an  ornament  of  fine  gold,  so  is  a  wise  re* 
prover  to  an  obedient  ear." 

Those  who,  reprove  must  guard  against  every  feel- 
ing, yea,  even  appearance  of  superiority;  lest,  by  ex- 
citing the  pride  of  the  reproved,  the  intended  benefit, 
should  be  lost.. 

Notwithstanding  the  dielicacy  of  this  Christian  duty,, 


176  CHRISTIAN  experience; 

faithfulness  must  guide  its  operation  when  the  occa*- 
sion  requires  its  severe  exercise.  The  tender-heart- 
ed Paul  had  to  perform  this  painful  task  in  several  in- 
stances, which  are  recorded  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles 
and  in  his  own  Epistles. 

When  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  "  separate  me  Barnabas 
and  Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them," 
these  holy  men  were  obedient  to  the  heavenly  mandate. 
Having  performed  the  work  assigned  to  them,  they 
sailed  to  Antioch,  from  whence  they  had  been  recom- 
mended to  the  grace  of  Godj  for  the  work  which  they 
fulfilled.  And  when  they  were  come,  and  had  gather- 
ed the  church  together,  they  rehearsed  all  that  God 
had  done  with  them,  and  how  he  had  opened  the  door 
of  faith  unto  the  Gentiles.  The  relation  of  this  mis- 
sionary tour  gladdened  the  assembled  church,  and  call- 
ed forth  many  thanksgivings  unto  God. 

Paul  and  Barnabas  continued  in  Antioch,  teaching 
and  preaching  the  word'  of  the  Lord.  "  And  some 
days  after,  Paul  said  unto  Barnabas  :  Let  us  go  again 
and  visit  our  brethren  in  every  city  where  we  have 
preached  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  see  how  they  do. 
And  Barnabas  determined'  to  take  with  them  Johnj 
whose  surname  was  Mark.  But  Paul  thought  not  good 
to  take  him  with  themj  who  departed  from  them  from 
Pamphylia  and  went  not  with  them  to  the  work.  And 
the  contention  was  so  sharp  between  them,  that  they 
departed  asundfer  one  from  the  other:  and  so  Barna- 
bas took  Mark,  and  sailed  unto  Cyprus  ;  and  Paul 
chose  Silas,  and  departed,  being  recommended  by  the 


GHRISTIAr^r    EXPERIENeE-  l^T" 

brethren  unto  the  grace  of  God  ;  and  he  went  through 
Syria  and  Cilicia,  confirraing  the  churches." 

The  heavenly-minded  Paul  was  well  acquainted 
with  his  own  heart,  when  he  said  to  the  people  of  Ly- 
conia,  "  We  also  are  men  of  like  passions  with  you.'* 
Though  we  cannot  expect  perfection  in  this  sinful 
world,  where  the  holiest  of  men  are  compassed  about 
with  infirmities  ;  yet  we  must  bewail  that  warmth  of 
temper,  which  occasioned  such  excellent  men  to  separ- 
ate from  each  other.  How  instructive  is  Scripture 
Biography.— It  not  only  developes  the  inward  princi- 
ples of  the  heart,  but  makes  us  also  acquainted  with 
the  nature  and  effects  of  those  actions^  which  these 
principles  produce. 

The  Bible  is  a  faithful  record'.  There  we  see  man 
in  his  real  character,  whether  groaning  under  the 
slavery  of  Satan,  or  rejoicing  as  the  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Truth  requires  no  covering,  and  therefore 
3eeks  none. 

The  faithfulness  with  which  the  lives  of  beliievewr 
a^re  recorded,  forms  no  mean  evidence  of  the  truth  of 
Scripture,  which  rests  its  veracity,  not  on  the  excel- 
lence of  man,  but  on  the  immutability  of  Jehovah. 

The  failings  of  tke  saints  are  detailed  with  the  same 
impartiality  as  their  graces  ;  nay,  are  even  more  mi- 
nutely described,  with  the  evident  intention  of  hum- 
bling our  pride,  and  showing  us  that,  salvation  is  of 
grace  and  not  of  works.  The  sins  of  believers,  be  it 
ever  remembefed,  cannot  be  charged  upon  that  holy 
religion  which  condemns  them,  but,  upon  their  own, 
corrupt  nature  which  produces  them..    Holiness  is  the 


178  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

peculiar  characteristic  of  the  Gospel,  and  proves  it  to 
be  from  God. 

The  sacred  historian  bears  testimony  to  Barnabas, 
that  he  "  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
He  had  willingly  given  up  the  world  for  the  Gospel's 
sake  :  for,  being  possessed  of  land  he  sold  it,  and 
brought  the  money,  and  laid  it  at  the  Apostles'  feet. 
John  Mark  was  his  sister's  son,  for  whom  he  felt,  no 
doubt,  much  natural  affection.  He  was  a  young  dis- 
ciple, and  not  sufficiently  strengthened  iu'  faith,  to  en- 
dure hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Hence  he  shrunk  from  the  trials  which  awaited  the 
Apostle  in  every  city  ;  and  being  most  probably  over- 
come by  fear,  left  him  at  Pamphylia  and  returned  to 
Jerusalem. 

Barnabas,  in  the  Spirit  of  that  charity  which  hopeth 
all  things,  was  desirous  to  try  hiln  on  another  journey  : 
but  Paul,  who  well  knew  the  evil'  of  faint-heartedness 
in  the  work  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  absolute  necessity 
for  a  man  to  be  willing  to  run  all  risks,  if  ever  he  would 
do  good  as  an  ambassador  of  Jesus  Christ,  remonstra- 
ted with  Barnabas  upon  the  instability  of  John  Mark's 
conduct,  and  the  unsuitableness  of  taking  him,  for  a 
companion  in  labour,  who  went  not  with  them  to  the 
work.  Hence  arose  the  sharp  contention  which  ended 
in  their  separation. 

Though  he  would  not  desire  to  justify  what  is  wrong, 
even  in  the  holiest  of  men,  yet,  it  is  evident,  that  no- 
thing guided  the  Apostle,  but  that  uprightness  of  prin- 
ciple and  that  devotedness  of  heart  to  Christ,  which 
lendered  him  so  abundantly  useful  to  the  souls  of  men. 


v( 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  179 

Painful  as  was  the  circumstance,  it  forms  another  de- 
velopement  of  St.  Paul's  character;  while,  through 
the  over-ruling  power  of  God,  it  was  made  conducive 
to  a  more  enlarged  diffusion  of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 

In  his  last  Epistle  to  Timothy  he  leaves  this  satis"- 
factory  record, — "  Take  Mark  and  bring  him  with 
thee  ;  for  he  is  profitable  to  me  for  the  ministry." 
Thus  he  proved  himself  to  be  a  true  believer,  by  his 
growth  in  grace,  and  his  continuance  in  well-doing. 

How  apposite  is  the  admonition  of  the  Apostle,  to 
all  who  feel  inclined  to  expose,  rather  than  to  correct, 
the  failings  ■of  a  Christian  brother ;  "  If  a  man  be  over- 
taken in  a  fault,  ye  which  are  spiritual,  restore  such  an 
one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  ;  considering  thyself,  lest 
thxm  also  he  tempted.  Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens, 
and  so  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ :  for,  if  a  man  think  him- 
self to  be  something,  when  he  is  nothing,  he  deceiveth 
himself." 

Thus  beautifully  were  the  graces  of  the  Spirit  blend- 
ed in  the  character  of  this  servant  of  the  Redeemer* 
He  drank  into  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  trod  in  his 
steps.     May  we  go  and  do  likewise. 

Another  striking  instance  of  his  faithfulness  in  re^- 
proving,  is  related  by  himself  to  the  Galatians, — 
"  When  Peter  was  come  to  Antioch,  I  withstood  him 
to  the  face,  because  he  was  to  be  blamed.  For  before 
that  certain  came  from  James,  he  did  eat  with  the 
Gentiles,  but  when  they  were  come,  he  withdrew  and 
separated  himself,  fearing  them  which  were  of  the  cir* 
cumcision.  And  the  other  Jews  dissembled  likewise 
•with  him,  insomuch  that  Barnabas  also  was  carried 


180  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

away  with  their  dissimulation.  But  when  I  saw  that 
they  walked  not  uprightly  according  to  the  truth  of  the 
Gospel,  I  said  unto  Peter  before  them  all :  If  thou  be- 
ing a  Jew,  livest  after  the  manner  of  the  Gentiles,  and 
not  as  do  the  Jews,  why  compellest  thou  the  Gentiles 
to  live  as  do  the  Jews  ?" 

What  could  exceed  the  honesty  of  the  reproof  here 
exhibited  to  our  view  ?  Did  the  Apostle  speak  evil  of 
Peter  behind  his  backt  No— he  withstood  him  to  the 
face.  Did  he  shrink  from  a  public,  though  painful, 
reprehension  of  Peter's  conduct  on  this  occasion  ?  No 
— he  tehuked  him  openly,  before  them  all.  Did  his 
reverence  for  Peter's  age  and  character,  cause  him  to 
palliate  or  connive  at  what  he  conceived  to  be  injuri- 
ous to  the  cause  of  Truth  ?  No — he  boldly  reproved 
him,  when  he  saw  that  he  walked  not  uprightly,  ac- 
cording to  the  truth  of  the  Gospel. 

This  was  faithfulness  indeed  ;  and  no  doubt  St, 
Peter  well  knew  how  to  value  it,  and  to  love  his  bro- 
ther Apostle  for  it ;  for  "  the  ear  that  heareth  the  re- 
proof of  life,  abideth  among  the  wise." 

Consistency  of  conduct  is,  at  all  times,  most  impor- 
tant, both  in  ministers  and  people.  On  this  occasion, 
there  was  a  want  of  consistency  in  Peter's  conduct, 
which  Paul  condemned. 

If  he  thought  it  right  to  eat  with  the  Gentile  con»- 
verts,  he  ought  not  to  have  separated  himself  from 
them,  when  certain  Jews  came  from  James.  By  this 
act.^  he  either  tacitly  acknowledged,  that  he  had  done 
wrong,  or  he  was  influenced  by  an  undue  fear  of  man. 
But  another  and  yet  more  pernicious  effect  resulted 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  131 

from  this  inconsistency  of  Peter.  In  this  act^  he  frus- 
trated the  glorious  design  of  the  Gospel,  which  was 
to  break  down  the  middle  wall  of  partition,  and  to  unite 
both  Jews  and  Gentiles  in  one  body  in  Christ ;  for  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and  drink,  but  righteous- 
ness, and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  Peter 
was  the  more  inexcusable,  as  the  vision  with  which 
he  had  been  favoured  to  prepare  his  mind  to  visit  Cor- 
nelieus,  and  the  blessed  fruits  of  that  visit,  must  have 
removed  his  Jewish  prejudices,  and  led  him  to  see, 
that  unto  the  Gentiles  also,  God  would  grant  repen- 
tance unto  life. 

St.  Paul  therefore,  perceiving  the  evil  which  would 
arise  to  the  Gentile  churches  from  this  conduct  of  his 
beloved  fellow-labourer,  boldly  maintained  the  liberty 
of  the  Gospel;  which,  while  it  freed  th«  Jewish 
Christians  from  the  ceremonials  of  the  Law,  brought 
the  Gentile  converts  into  all  the  privileges  of  the  chil- 
dren of  God.  Hence,  he  gloried  in  this  blessed  truth, 
— "  ye  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus — There  is  neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  there  is  nei- 
ther bond  nor  free,  there  is  neither  male  nor  female ; 
for  ye  are  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus." 

In  no  stage  of  our  Christian  course  are  we  removed 
out  of  the  reach  of  temptation,  or  from  the  hidden 
evils  of  our  fallen  nature.  "  By  faith  we  stand."  No- 
thing but  Almighty  Power  can  keep  us  from  falling, 
and  enable  us,  under  all  circumstances  to  walk  up- 
rightly according  to  the  truth  of  the  Gospel. 

How  faithfully  did  the  zealous  Apostle  also  reprove 
the  church  of  Galatia,  on  account  of  their  being  drawn 
16 


182  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

away  by  Judaizing  teachers,  from  the  simplicity  of  the 
Gospel.  "  I  marvel,"  said  he,  "  that  ye  are  so  soon 
removed  from  him  that  called  you  into  the  grace  of 
Christ  unto  another  Gospel,  which  is  not  another ;  but 
there  be  some  that  trouble  you,  and  would  pervert  the 
.  Gospel  of  Christ."  And  then,  with  apostolic  authority, 
he  declares, — "  But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from  hea- 
ven, preach  any  other  Gospel  unto  you,  than  that  which 
we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed.  As 
we  said  before,  so  say  I  now  again :  if  any  man 
preach  another  Gospel  unto  you,  than  that  ye  have 
received,  let  him  be  accursed." 

Errors  in  doctrine,  are  seldom  unattended  by  defects 
in  practice.  If  we  depart  from  the  purity  of  the  Truth, 
we  shall  suffer  loss,  both  in  holiness  and  comfort. 
This  St.  Paul  knew,  and  deplored, — "  0  foolish  Gala- 
tians,  who  hath  bewitched  you,  that  ye  should  not  obey 
the  Truth  ?  Are  ye  so  foolish  ?  having  begun  in  the 
Spirit,  are  ye  now  made  perfect  by  the  flesh  ?  Have 
ye  suff'ered  so  many  things  in  vain  ?  if  it  be  yet  in  vain. 
After  ye  have  known  God,  or  rather  are  known  of  God, 
how  turn  ye  again  to  weak  and  beggarly  elements, 
whereunto  ye  desire  again  to  be  in  bondage  ?  I  am 
afraid  of  you,  lest  I  have  bestowed  upon  you  labour  in 
vain." 

Few  things  are  more  painful  than  that  which  is  ex- 
perienced by  the  minister  of  Christ,  when  he  beholds 
his  flock  carried  away  by  dangerous  errors,  and  losing 
their  aff'ection  for  him,  through  the  insinuations  and 
flatteries  of  false  teachers.     No  one,  not  so  circum- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  183 

stanced,  can  fully  enter  into  the  heart-felt  grief  of  such 
a  pastor. 

With  great  tenderness  of  spirit  St.  Paul  then  appeals 
to  their  former  affection  for  him. — "  Ye  know,  how 
through  infirmity  of  the  flesh,  I  preached  the  Gospel 
unto  you  at  first ;  and  my  temptation  which  was  in  my 
flesh,  ye  despised  not,  nor  rejected,  but  received  me 
as  an  angel  of  God,  even  as  Jesus  Christ,  Where 
then  is  the  blessedness  ye  spake  of?  For  I  bear  you 
record,  that  if  it  had  been  possible,  ye  would  have 
plucked  out  your  own  eyes,  and  have  given  them  to 
me.  Am  I  therefore  become  your  enemy,  because  I 
tell  you  the  truth  ?  Behold,  I  Paul  say  unto  you,  that 
if  ye  be  circumcised,  Christ  shall  profit  you  nothing. 
Ye  did  run  well,  who  did  hinder  you,  that  ye  should 
not  obey  the  Truth  ?  This  persuasion  cometh  not  of 
him  that  calleth  you.  I  would  they  were  even  cut  off" 
which  trouble  you." 

With  such  earnestness  did  their  spiritual  father  long 
for  their  restoration,  that  he  used  the  strongest  meta- 
phor to  express  his  feelings  :  "  My  little  children,  of 
whom  I  travail  in  birth  again  until  Christ  be  formed  in 
you,  I  desire  to  be  present  with  you,  and  to  change 
my  voice,  for  I  stand  in  doubt  of  you."  Who  can 
question  the  sincerity  of  a  heart  which  could  make 
such  aflfectionate  appeals,  and  administer  such  faithful 
reproof.  His  parental  heart  was  grieved  that  they 
should  so  soon  forsake  him,  and  listen  to  the  voice  of 
strangers,  who  sought  to  lead  them  away  from  the 
simplicity  that  is  in  Christ. 

This  part  of  the  Apostle's  history  aflfoxda  an  useful 


184  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

lesson  to  faithful  ministers,  to  watch  over  their  flocks 
With  jealous  care,  and  not  to  withhold  the  wholesome 
reproof,  though  it  may  deeply  wound  ;  for  "  faithful  are 
the  wounds  of  a  friend." 

Of  all  the  offices  held  by  man,  none  is  so  important 
in  its  nature,  and  awful  in  his  responsibilities,  as  that 
of  the  CHRISTIAN  MINISTRY",  however  much  it  may  be 
despised  by  an  ungodly  world,  or  unhappily  dishonour- 
ed by  the  unseemly  conduct  of  some  who  sustain  it. 
Glorious  indeed  will  be  the  reward  of  that  man,  who, 
in  the  spirit  of  St.  Paul,  takes  upon  himself  the  care 
of  souls,  and  solemnly  engages  in  the  presence,  and 
through  the  grace  of  Jesus,  "  to  teach  and  to  pre- 
monish,  to  feed  and  provide  for  the  Lord*s  family ;  to 
seek  for  Christ's  sheep  that  are  dispersed  abroad,  and 
for  his  children,  who  are  in  the  midst  of  this  naughty 
world,  that  they  may  be  saved  through  Christ  for  ever." 

May  all  who  enter  into  this  sacred  office,  "  never 
cease  their  labours,  their  care  and  diligence,  until  they 
have  done  all  that  lieth  in  them,  according  to  their 
bounden  duty,  to  bring  all  such  as  are,  or  shall  be 
committed  to  their  charge,  unto  that  agreement  in  the 
faith  and  knowledge  of  God,  and  to  that  ripeness  and 
perfection  of  age  in  Christ,  that  there  be  no  place  left 
among  us,  either  for  error  in  religion,  or  for  vicious- 
ness  of  life." 

The  will  and  ability  to  perform  so  great  a  work,  is 
given  of  God  alone  ;  hence  arises  the  need  for  earnest 
prayer,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  impart  those  gifts  and 
graces  which  are  peculiarly  requisite  in  an  ambassa- 
dor of  Christ. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  185 

"  Would  I  describe  a  preacher,  such  as  Paul 
Were  he  on  earth,  would  hear,  approve,  and  own, 
Paul  should  himself  direct  me.     I  would  trace 
His  master-strokes,  and  draw  from  his  design. 
I  would  express  him  simple,  grave,  sincere  ; 
In  doctrine  uncorrupt;  in  language  plain, 
And  plain  in  manner ;  decent,  solemn,  chaste, 
And  natural  in  gesture  ;  much  impress'd 
Himself,  as  conscious  of  his  awful  charge, 
And  anxious  mainly,  that  the  flock  he  feeds 
May  feel  It  too  ;  aflectionate  in  look^ 
And. tender  in  address,  as  well  becomes 
A  messenger  of  grace  to  guilty  men." 

This  bright  example  of  a  Gospel  minister,  the  Apos- 
tle held  forth  to  us  in  his  own  experience,  spirit,  and 
conduct.  As  his  labours  were  incessant,  so  also  were 
his  solicitudes  for  the  welfare  of  the  Church  of  God. 
In  enumerating  his  trials,  he  mentions  last,  as  if  to 
mark  its  peculiar  greatness,  that  which  came  upon  him 
daily,,  "the  care  of  all  the  churches." 

We  cannot  forbear  to  mention  another  instance  of 
his  uncompromising  firmness  when  ministerial  reproof 
was  needed.  He  deeply  lamented  the  evils  which  dis- 
figured the  Corinthian  Church :  "Now  I  beseech  you, 
brethren,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
ye  all  speak  the-  same  thing,  and  that  there  be  no  divi- 
sions among  you  ;  but  that  ye  be  perfectly  joined  toge- 
ther in  the  same  mind,  and  in  the  same  judgment.  For 
it  hath  been  declared  unto  me  of  you  my  brethren,  by 
them  which  are  of  the  house  of  Chloe,  that  there  are 
contentions  among  you.  I  have  fed  you  with  milk, 
and  not  with  meat,  for  hitherto  ye  were  not  able  to  bear 
it,  neither  yet  now  are  ye  able.  For  ye  are  yet  carnal ; 
for  whereas  there  is  among  you,  envying,  and  strife, 
16* 


186.  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.. 

and  divisions,  are  ye  not  carnal  and  walk  as  men  T 
For  while  one  saith,  I  am  of  Paul,  and  another  I  am 
of  Apollos,  are  ye  not  carnal  ?  Who  then  is  Paul,  and 
who  is  Apollos,  but  ministers  by  whom  ye  believed, 
even  as  the  Lord  gave  to  every  man.  I  have  planted, 
Apollos  watered,  but  God  gave  the  increase.  So  then, 
neither  is  he  that  planteth  aay  thing,  neither  he  that 
watereth,  but  God  that  giveth  the  increase." 

Discarding  all  idea  of  personal  merit,  the  disinte- 
rested Apostle  strikes  at  the  root  of  popular  applause 
and  party  spirit.  By  his  deep  insight  into  the  human 
heart,  he  saw  the  source  from  whence  these  evils  spring 
— that  love  of  change,  that  fondness  for  novehy,  that 
captious  spirit,  that  itching  ear,  that  setting  up  of  one 
minister  above  another  which  divided  the  Church,  and 
engendered  strifes  and  contentions  amongst  them. 
With  unwearied  solicitude  he  laboured  to  counteract 
these  growing  evils,  that  all  who  professed  and  called 
themselves  Christians-^  might  be  led  into  the  way  of 
truth,  and.  hold  the  faith  ia  the  unity  of  the  spirit,  in 
the  bond  of  peace,  and  in  righteousness  of  life." 

St.  Paul  was  well  aware  that  an  enemy  had  done 
this.  As  the  kingdom  of  Christ  is  extended  by  union, 
gentleness,  and  love,  so  Satan  increases  his  dominioa 
by  discord,  strife^  and  hatred. 

Knowing  the  depths  of  this  arch-deeeiver,  and  being 
jealous  for  the  Truth,  he  forwarned  the  Corinthians 
against  his  delusions  ;  "  There  must  be  heresies  among 
you,  that  they  which  are  approved  may  be  made  mani- 
fest.' Is  not  this  a  word  in  season  ?  Do  not  errors 
and  divisions  even  now  weaken  the  Christian  Church, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  187 

arrd  tarnish  her  glory  ?  Blessed  is  he  that  watcheth, 
and  keepeth  his  garments  unspotted  from  sin. 

With  equal  fidelity  he  apprized  the  Christians  al 
Rome  to  beware  of  schismatics,  who  would  endaryger 
their  peace  and  unity  ^ — ^"  I  beseech  you  brethren,  mark 
them  which  cause  divisions  and  offences,  contrary  to 
the  doctrine  which  ye  have  learned,  and  avoid  them. 
For  they  that  are  such,  serve  not  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  but  their  awn  belly :  and  by  good  words  and 
fair  speeches,  deceive  the  hearts  of  the  simple." 

This  unwearied  labourer  was  the  more  anxious  for 
their  preservation  from  these  evils,,  as  they  were  in  a 
prosperous  spiritual  condition  : — ^"  For" — he  adds — 
"  your  obedience  is  come  abroad  unto  all  men.  I  am 
glad  therefore  on  your  behalf :,  but  yet,.  I  would  have 
you  wise  unto  that  which  is  good,  and  simple  concern- 
ing evil.  And  the  God  of  peace  shall  bruise  Satan 
under  your  feet  shortly. 

These  instances  are  sufficient  to  show,  that  St.  Paul 
was  a  faithful  reprover,,  that  he  feared  not  the  face  of 
man.  While  others,  were  dissembling,,  or  courting 
popular  applause,  he  could  say  with  honest  Nehemiah, 
'•'  But  so.  did  not  I,,  because  of  the  fear  of  God." 

As  a  Christian^,  and  a  preacher  of  righteousness,  the 
Apostle  was  obedient  to  the  reigning  Power :.  and 
cheerfully  submitted  to  every  ordinance  of  man  for  the 
Lord's  sake.  His  religion-  was  the  religion  of  peace 
and  good  order,  not  of  strife  and  confusion.  "  Woe 
unto  him  that  striveth  with  his  Maker.  Let  the 
potsherd   strive    with   the   potslierds   of    the   earths" 


188  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

While  the  rebellious  sinner  exclaims ;  Who  is  Lord 
over  us  ? — the  humble  Christian  cultivates  a  spirit  of 
reverential  lovCi 

In  drawing  a  sketch  of  the  Apostles  conduct  and 
preaching  we  must  notice  his  important  exhortations 
to  the  duty  of  Christian  obedience  to  civil  government. 
Having  revealed  to  Titus,  the  glorious  appearing  of 
the  Great  God  and  our  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  he  sub- 
joins.— "  These- things  speak,  and  exhort,  and  rebuke 
vi^ith  all  authority.  Let  no  man  despise  thee.  Put 
them  in  mind  to  be  subject  to  principalities,  and  pow- 
ers, to  obey  magistrates,  to  be-  ready  to  every  good 
vi'ork ;  to  speak  evil  of  no  man,  to  be  no  brawlers,  but 
gentle,  showing  all  meekness  unto  all  men." 

How  beautifully  does  the  Christian  character  shine 
forth  in  this  admonition.  Were  all  rulers  and  subjects 
brought  under  the  holy  infhience  of  the  Gospel,  then 
"  truth  and  justice,  brotherly  kindness  and  charity,  de- 
votion and-  piety,  concord  and  unity,  with  all  other 
virtues,  would  so  flourish  among  us,  that  they  would 
form  the  stability  of  our  times,  and  make  the  Church  of 
Christ  a  praise  in  the  earth. 

As  it  is  by  the  will  of  God"  that  kings  reign  and 
princes  decree  justice,  St.  Paul  gives  this  charge  to 
Timothy ;  "  exhort  therefore  that,  first  of  all,  suppli- 
cations, prayers,,  intercessions,  and  giving  of  thanks 
be  made  for  a/Z  me«," — without  any  distinction  of  char* 
acter ;  for  foes  as  well  as  friends  ;  for  the  turbulent  as 
well  as  the  peaceable  ;  for  distant  nations  as  well  as 
for  our  own  land.  To  which  he  adds,  and,  "  for 
kings  and  for  all  thai  are  in  authority ;"  giving  this 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  189 

substantial  reason  for  the  performance  of  this  duty  : 
"  that  we  may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life,  in  all 
godliness  and  honesty.  For  this  is  good  and  accep- 
table in  the  sight  of  God  our  Saviour,  who  will  have 
all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come  unto  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth." 

While  the  ruling  power  was  Pagan  and  persecuting^ 
he  gave  this  admonition  to  the  Christians  at  Rome ; 
"  Let  every  soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher  powers. 
For  there  is  no  power  but  of  God :  the  powers  that 
be  are  ordained  of  God.  Whosoever  therefore  resist- 
elh  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordinance  of  God  ;  and  they 
that  resist,  shall  receive  to  themselves  damnation. 
Wherefore  ye  must  needs  be  svibject,  not  only  for 
wrath,  but  also  for  conscience'  sake.  Render  there- 
fore to  all  their  dues  j  tribute  to  whom  tribute  is  du&, 
custom  to  whom  custom,  fear  to  whom  fear,  honour 
to  whom  honour." 

With  equal  force  he  inculcates  on  the  Corinthians 
the  duty  of  contentment  in  the  station  in  which  God 
had  placed  them.  This  admonition  is  the  more  stri- 
king, as  the  word  rendered  servant,  in  our  version, 
signifies  a  slave  :■  "  Let  every  man  abide  in  the  same 
calling,  wherein  he  was  called.  Art  thou  called  being 
a  slave?  Care  n^t for  it:  but  if  thou  mayest  be  made 
free,  use  it  rather.  For  he  that  is  called  in  the  Lord, 
being  a  slave  is  the  Lord's  freeman  :  brethren,  let  every 
man  wherein  he  is  called,  therein  abide  with  God." 

What  a  disregard  is  here  manifested  to  outward  world- 
ly distinctions,  so  opposite  to  the  spirit  which  actuates 
professing  Christians  in  general. 


190  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

To  Timothy  he  also  writes,  "  Let  as  many  servants 
as  are  under  the  yoke,  count  their  own  masters  worthy 
of  all  honour,  that  the  name  of  God  and  his  doctrine 
be  not  blasphemed.  And  they  that  have  believing 
masters,  let  them  not  despise  them  because  they  are 
brethren  ;  but  rather  do  them  service,  because  they 
are  faithful  and  beloved,  partakers  of  the  benefit." 

The  Apostle  considered  it  of  such  importance  to 
the  peace  of  society,  and  so  accordant  with  the  spirit 
of  the  Gospel,  not  to  render  its  professors  dissatisfied 
with  their  civil  stations,  that  he  adds, — "  These  things 
teach  and  exhort.  If  any  man  teach  otherwise,  and 
consent  not  to  wholesome  words,  even  the  words  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  doctrine  which  is 
according  to  godliness,  he  is  proud,  knowing  nothing. 
— From  such  withdraw  thyself."  So  advised  Solo- 
mon :  "  my  son  fear  thou  the  Lord  and  the  king  ;  and 
meddle  not  with  them  that  are  given  to  change." 

Writing  under  the  immediate  inspiration  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  St.  Peter  strongly  enforced  the  duty  of  subjec- 
tion to  the  existing  powers,  on  the  Christians  who 
were  scattered  throughout  Pontus,  Galatia,  Cappado- 
cia,  Asia,  and  Bithynia: — "  Submit  yourselves  to  every 
ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord*s  sake  ;  whether  it  be 
to  the  king  as  supreme,  or  unto  the  govorners  as  unto 
them  that  are  sent  by  him  for  the  punishment  of  evil- 
doers, and  for  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well.  For  so 
is  the  will  of  God,  that  with  well-doing  ye  may  put  to 
silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men.  Honour  all  men, 
love  the  brotherhood  ;  fear  God,  honour  the  king." 
And  then,  in  his  second  Epistle,  he  cautions  believers 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  191 

against  such  as  were  presumptuous,  self-willed,  despis- 
ing government,  and  not  afraid  to  speak  evil  of  dig- 
nities. 

^'  It  is  the  corruption  and  misery  of  man's  nature"  as 
Archbishop  Leighton  observes,  "that  he  doth  not 
know,  and  can  hardly  be  persuaded  to  learn,  either 
how  to  command  aright,  or  how  to  obey  ;  and  no  doubt 
many  of  those  that  can  see  and  blame  the  injustice  of 
others  in  authority,  would  be  more  guilty  that  way 
themselves,  if  they  had  the  same  power.  It  is  the 
pride  and  self-love  of  our  nature  that  begets  disobedi- 
ence in  inferiors,  and  violence  and  injustice  in  superi- 
ors ;  that  depraved  humour,  that  ties  to  every  kind  of 
government  a  propension  to  a  particular  disease  ;  that 
makes  royalty  easily  degenerate  into  tyranny,  and  the 
government  of  nobles  into  faction,  and  popular  govern- 
ment into  confusion.  As  civil  authority  and  subjection 
to  it,  is  the  institution  of  God  ;  so  ihe  peaceable  cor- 
respondence of  those  two,  just  government  and  due 
obedience,  is  the  especial  gift  of  God's  own  hand,  and 
a  prime  blessing  to  states  and  kingdoms.  And  the 
troubling  and  interruption  of  their  course  is  one  of  the 
highest  public  judgments,  by  which  the  Lord  punishes 
oftentimes  the  other  sins  both  of  rulers  and  people. 
And  whatsoever  be  the  cause,  and  on  which  side  so- 
ever be  the  justice  of  the  cause,  it  canf^  be  looked 
upon  but  as  a  heavy  plague  and  the  fruit  m  many  and 
great  provocations,  when  kings  and  their  people,  that 
should  be  a  mutual  blessing  and  honour  to  each  other, 
are  turned  into  scourges  one  to  another,  or  into  a  de- 
vouring fire,  as  it  is   in  the  parable,  Judges  ix.  20. 


192  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Fire  going  forth  from  Abimelech  to  devour  the  men  of 
Shechem,  and  fire  from  Shechem  to  devour  Abimel- 
ech." 

May  the  God  of  Britain  preserve  our  nation  from  so 
awful  a  catastrophe,  by  uniting  the  hearts  of  all,  as  the 
heart  of  one  man,  in  holy  obedience  to  himself,  in  loy- 
al attachment  to  our  king^  and  in  brotherly  love  to  one 
another. 

It  may  be  asked ;  did  not  St.  Paul  violate  his  own 
precepts  when  he  so  awfully  denounced  the  high- 
priest  ?  If  the  circumstances  of  the  case  be  consider- 
ed, it  will  be  found,  that  he  was  not  aware  that  Anani- 
as, then  sitting  in  judgment,  was  the  legally  appointed 
high-priest.  Ananias  was  acting  contrary  to  the  law, 
in  commanding  the  Apostle  to  be  smitten  before  he 
was  found  guilty.  St.  Paul,  who  knew  his  hypocriti- 
cal character,  under  the  influence  of  a  prophetic  spirit, 
pronounced  his  doom :  "  God  shall  smite  thee,  thou 
whited  wall." 

On  being  informed  that  Ananias  was  the  acting  high* 
priest,  the  Apostle  instantly  declared  his  reverence  for 
tJie  office,  saying,  "  I  wist  not,  brethren,  that  he  was 
the  high-priest,  for  it  is  written  :  Thou  shalt  not  speak 
evil  of  the  ruler  of  thy  people."  Hence  it  is  evident, 
that  he  would  not  thus  have  spoken,  had  he  known 
that  Ananiaii^as  at  that  time  the  officiating  high-priest 
in  Jerusalem.* 


*  The  following  historical  fact  will  s^ve  to  elucidate  the  Apostle's  com 
duct.  \ 

Soon  after  tlie  holding  of  tlTe  first"  council  at  Jerusalem,  Ananias  was  de- 
IK-ived  of  the  liigh-priesfrf'i|Bj|||^  certain  acts  of  violence,  and  sent  td 


G«RISTIAN    EXPERIENCE,  193 

The  genius  of  the  Gospel  is  love  and  unity.  These 
fruits  of  the  Spirit  were  the  subjectSiOf  our  Lord's  last 
discourses,  and  the  matter  of  his  intercessory  prayer.. 

In  the  first  ages  of  Christianity,  prayers  and  tears- 
were  the  only  arms  of  the  Church,  whereby  they  long 
defended  it  from  ruin,  and  at  last  advanced  it  to  the 
most  glorious  prosperity.  The  shadows  of  the  night 
do  not  more  naturally  vanish,  at  the  rising  of  the  sun, 
than  the  darkness  of  Pagan  idolatry  and.  superstition 
fled  before  the  light  of  the  Gospel.  In  those  days  of 
the  Church's  first  lone,  no  labour  was  deemed  too 
great,  no  sacrifice  too  costly,  to  evangelize  the  world. 
Thousands  gladly  embraced  the  crown  of  martyrdom, 
rather  than  deny  their  precious  Saviour.  Their  con- 
stancy and  patience  extorted  the  admiration  of  theip 
enemies;  the  joyfulness  with,  which  they  sealed  the 
Truth  with,  their  blood,  won  over  many  of  their  perser 
cutors  to  the  faith  of  Christ. 

With  such  lively  hopes  did  they  descend  into  the 
tomb,  that  the  day  of  their  death,  was  celebrated,  by 


Rome,  whence  he  was  afterwards  released,  and  returned  to  Jerusalem.  Be- 
tween the  death  of  Jonathan,  who  succeeded  him,  and  was  murdered  by 
Felix,  and  the  high-priesthood  of  Ishmael,  who  was  invested  with  that  office 
by  Agrippa,  an  interval  elapsed  in  which  this  dignity  was  vacant.  This  was 
the  precise  time  when  St.  Paul  was  apprehended  ;  and  the  Sanhedrim,  being 
destitute  of  a  president,  Ananfas  undertook  to  discharge  that  office.  It  13- 
probable  that  Paul  was  ignorant  of  this  circumstance. 

With  respect  to  Paul's  denunciation,  God- did  smite  Ananias  in  a  remark- 
able manner ;  for  about  forty-fiv€  years  after  this,  after  his  house  had  been 
reduced  to  ashes,  in  a  tumult  raised  by  his  own  son,  he  was  besieged  and:^ 
taken  in  the  royal  palace ;  where,  having  attempted  in  vain  to  hide  himself, 
he  was  dragged  out  and  slain. 

"  Verily,  there  is  a  reward  for  the  righteous ;  verily  he  ia  a, God  that  judg- 
elh  in  the  earth." 

17      • 


194  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

their  surviving  brethren,  as  the  hirth-day  of  their  mar- 
tyrdom ;  for  so  the  primitive  Christians  used  to  call  the 
day  of  their  death  ;  looking  upon  it  as  the  true  day  of 
their  nativity,  when  they  were  delivered  from  this  vale 
of  tears^ — these  regions  of  death,  and  horn  again  unto 
the  joys  and  felicities  of  an  endless  life.  Happy  would 
it  be,  were  this  primitive  spirit  universal.  It  is  fervent 
prayer,  faithful  preaching,  and  the  heavenly  lives  of 
Christians,  that  must,  and  will,  through  the  blessing  of 
God,  evangelize  both  our  country  and  the  world. 

May  all  who  bear  the  name  of  Christ,  bear  also  his 
holy  image.  As  subjects  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  let 
us  study  to  promote  the  blessings  of  peace.  While 
thus  diffusing  around  us  a  spirit  of  Christian  charity, 
we  shall  hasten  on  that  blissful  period,  when  the  din 
of  war  shall  be  exchanged  for  the  harmony  of  praise  ; 
when  men  shall  love  as  brethren ;  and  when  Jesus 
shall  reign  in  every  heart — the  llNivERSi^L  King. 

"  Jesus,  immortal  King,  go  on  ; 
The  glorious  day  will  soon  be  won ; 
Thine  enemies  prepare  to  flee, 
And  leave  a  conquer'd  world  to  thee. 

"  Gird  on  thy  sword  victorious  Chief, 
The  captive  sinner's  sole  relief; 
Cast  the  Usurper  from  his  throne, 
And  make  the  universe  thine  own. 

"  Thy  footsteps.  Lord,  with  joy  we  trace, 
And  mark  the  conquests  of  thy  grace : 
Finish  the  work  thou  hast  beguu, 
And  let  thy  will  on  earth  be  done. 

"  Then  shall  contending  nations  rest, 
for  love  shall,  reign  in  every  breast ; 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  195 

Weapons  for  war  design'd  shall  cease, 
Or  then,  be  implements  of  peace. 

"  Hark !  how  the  hosts  triumphant  sing ! 
•  The  Lord  omnipotent  is  King. ' 
Let  all  his  saints  rejoice  at  this, 
The  kingdoms  of  the  world  are  his : 
Hallelujah i  Amen!" 


CHAPTER   XII. 

The  outline  of  the  apostle's  preaching.  His 
description  of  the  heathen,  and  of  the  nomi- 
nally christian  world. 

Though  virtue  ^be  exhibited  in  all  her  loveliness,  and 
vice  in  all  its  deformity  ;  though  every  thing  attractive 
be  brought  before  the  sinner,  to  win  him  over  to  the 
'charras  of  moral  excellence  ; — yet,  eloquence,  with  all 
its  powers,  can  never  change  the  heart.  The  moral 
«ssay,  by  its  musical  cadence  and  well-selected  words, 
may  please  the  ear  and  gratify  the  taste ;  but  Satan 
despises  such  a  feeble  effort  to  overthrow  his  kingdom. 
It  is  weak  as  chaff  before  the  wind.  With  undisturb- 
ed repose  he  keeps  his  goods  in  peace,  and  still  re- 
mains secure  within  the  citadel  of  the  heart. 

What  power,  then,  can  dislodge  this  mighty  foe  1 
What  voice  can  bid  the  dying  sinner  live  ?  Important 
question!  The  preaching  of  Christ  crucifed, 
through  whom  grace  abounds  to  the  chief  of  sinners, 
is  the  weapon  wherewith  the  Almighty  Spirit  destroys 
the  powers  of  darkness, — -the  instrument  which  he 
employs  to  new-create  the  soul.  No  human  eloquence 
can  effect  so  great  a  work.  The  glory  belongs  to  Him, 
who  said,  "  Let  there  be  light  and  there  was  light." 
The  power  is  from  him  who  is  pleased  through  the 
*'  foolishness  of  preaching,  to  save  them  that  believe.*' 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  197 

— How  all-commanding  are  the  words  of  Jesus, — 
"  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  the  hour  is  coming, 
and  now  is,  when  the  dead  shall  hear  the  voice  of  the 
Son  of  God  :  and  they  that  hear  shall  live." 

"Unlike  human  discipline,  which  advances  by  a 
slow  and  imperceptible  progress,  gaining  at  one  time 
and  losing  at  another,  the  Gospel  works  a  radical 
change  of  the  heart,  and  accomplishes  such  a  revolu- 
tion in  its  principles,  that  the  effect  immediately  ap- 
pears in  the  reformation  of  the  life.  Philosophy,  with 
much  labour,  may  extort  from  the  barren  soil,  a  few 
dwarfish  and'  sickly  plants ;  but  the  Gospel  makes  a 
rich  harvest  of  heavenly  graces  and'  virtues  spring  up 
in  the  desert  of  the  soul."  O  that  every  heart  may 
experience  this  glorious  change  !  Let  us  unite  with  the 
spouse  in  her  ardent  longings  after  Christ :  "  Awake, 
O  north  wind,  and  come  thou  south  ;  blow  upon  my 
garden  that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out.  Let  my 
beloved  come  into  his  garden,  and  eat  his  pleasant 
fruits."  Were  this  the  universal  prayer,  the  Church 
would  soon  experience  the  gracious  presence  of  her 
Lord,  and  taste  the  sweetness  of  his  love :  "I  anr 
come  into  my  garden,  my  sister,  my  spouse  :  I  have 
gathered  my  myrrh  with  my  spice  :  I  have  eaten  my 
honey-comb  with  my  honey  :  I  have  drunk  my  wine 
with  my  milk  :  eat,  O  friends  ;  drink,  yea,  drink  abun- 
dantly O  beloved."  Lord,  delay  not  thy  coming.  Visit 
every  heart  with  thy  salvation  ;  and  fill  the  world  with 
the  blessings  of  thy  grace. 

Ruin, — Redemption, — Regeneration, — are  three 
comprehensive  words,  which  form  the  great  outline  of 
17* 


198  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Gospel  Truth.  The  amplification  of  the  truths  which 
are  contained  under  these  terms,  with  all  their  various 
bearings  on  the  present  and  future  destiny  of  man,  com- 
posed the  substance  of  the  great  Apostle's  preaching. 

How  humbling  are  his  views  of  man's  apostacy 
from  God. — "  We  are  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath. 
All  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God. 
Death  has  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned. 
The  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of 
God." 

How  consoling  are  his  views  of  man's  recovery 
through  Christ. — "  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to. 
save  sinners.  He  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all.  We 
have  redemption  through,  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of 
sins.  We^  are  justified  freely  by  his  grace.  He  hath 
made  peace,  through  the  blood  of  his  cross.  He  is 
made  unto  us,  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctiiication,. 
and  redemptiouw     He  is  all,,  and  in  all." 

How  purifying  are  his  views  of  man's  renewal  unto 
holiness. — "  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new 
creature.  As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,, 
they  are  the  sons  of  God.  They  that  are  Christ's,, 
have  crucified  the  flesh  with  the  affections  and  lusts.. 
Without  holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord." 

This  minister  of  righteousness,  receiving  his  com- 
mission immediately  from  Christ,  proclaimed,  through 
divine  inspiration,  these  glorious  doctrines  of  grace  ; 
preaching  every  where,  repentance  toward  God,  and 
faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  Spirit  ac- 
companied the  Word  by  his  sovereign  power,  and 
multitudes  became  obedient  to  the  faith. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  199 

The  doctrine  of  a  Redeemer,  obeying  tlie  Law,  and 
dying  on  the  cross  for  man,  is  the  very  hinge  of  all 
evangelical  revelations  ;  the  very  life  of  all  evangeli- 
cal blessings.  The  doctrine  of  the  atonement,  is  th& 
grand  peculiarity  of  the  Gospel :  it  is  the  central  point 
in  which  all  the  lines  of  duty  unite,  and  from  whicli 
all  the  rays  of  consolation  proceed. 

Faith  draws  all  its  hope,  strength,  and  assurance, 
from  the  Word,  the  fulness,  and  the  promises  of 
Christ.  It  receives  from  him,  pardon  with  the  one- 
hand,  and  holiness  with  the  other  ;  both,  being  equally 
the  design  of  his.  mediatorial  work,  and  equally  the 
desire  of  every  new-born  souL 

St.  Paul  had  no  greater  joy  than  to  set  forth  the- 
glories  of  his  Redeemer.  Knowing  where  lay  the 
blessed  spring  of  all  his  privileges  and  comforts,  hi&. 
heart  glowed  with  delight,  when  engaged  in  making 
known  to  others  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
By  blessed  experience,  he  had  learned,  that  where  sin 
abounded,  grace  did  much  more  abound;  that  as  sin 
hath  reigned  imto  death,  so  now  grace  reigns  through 
righteousness,  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Therefore  he  could  tell  every  weeping  peni- 
tent, these  glad  tidings  of  great  joy,  that,  Jesus  is  able 
to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  that  come  untt>  God  by  him, 
seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them. 

And  what  returns  did  such  ambassadors  of  Christ- 
receive  ?  From  the  world,  hatred  and  persecution ; 
from  false  brethren,  grief  and  treachery ;  but  from  the* 
faithful  in  Christ  Jesus,  an  abundance  of  love  and  re- 
verence.. 


200  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCTE. 

Bishops  and  ministers  were  then  looked  upon  as  the 
common  parents  of  Christians,  whom,  as  such,  they 
honoured  and  obeyed  ;  and  to  whom  they  applied  for 
counsel  and  direction  in  all  important  cases.  A  pious 
bishop  and  a  faithful  minister  were  in  those  days 
dearer  to  thora  than  the  most  valuable  blessings  upon 
earth ;  and  they  could  want  any  thing  rather  than  be 
without  them.  When^  Chrysostom  was  driven  by  the 
Empress  Eudoxia  into  banishment,  the  people,  as  he 
went  along,  burst  into  tears,  and  cried  out,  "  It  were 
better  the  sun  should  not  shine,  than  that  John  Chry- 
sostom should' not  preach."  They  could  not  then  lose 
their  spiritual  guides,  without  looking  upon  themselves 
as  widows  and  orphans,  bewailing  their  death  with  a 
general  sorrow,  as  if  they  had  lost  a  common  father. 
Such  was  the  love  which  cemented  ministers  and 
people  together  in  those  early  ages  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

How  transforming  are  the  doctrines  of  grace,  when 
applied  by  faith  to  the  conscience,  through  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost:  They  remove  the  burden  of  sin 
by  revealing  a  sin-bearing  Saviour  ;  they  strip  man  of 
his  boasted  excellence,  by  laying  him  low  at  the  foot 
of  the  cross ;  they  change  him  into  the  image  of  Je- 
sus, by  shedding  abroad  the  love  of  God  in  his  heart  ; 
they  destroy  the  weeds  of  selfishness  and  strife,  by 
sowing  the  gracious  seeds  of  unity,  peace,  and  con- 
cord in  the  souli  The  moral  wilderness  becomes  the 
garden  of  the  Lord ;  the  desert  rejoices  and  blossoms 
as  the  rose* 


CfHRI^'riXN    EXPERIENCE.  201 

What  but  Almighty  energy  could  produce  so  great 
a  cTiange. 

Man  is  naturally  proud, — the  Gospel  makes  him 
humble. 

He  is  naturally  carnal,— the  Gospel  makes  him 
spiritual. 

He  is  naturally  worldly ,-^the  Gospel  makes  him 
heavenly. 

He  is  naturally  dead  in  sin,  and  blind  to  his  condi- 
tion,— the  Gospel  quickens  him  to  a  life  of  holiness, 
and  enlightens  his  mind  to  know  himself,  and  Chri^ 
his  only  Saviour. 

The  Gospel  is  good  news  to  poor  sinners  ;  the  prd*- 
clamation  Of  a  full  and  free  forgiveness  of  all  sin, 
through  faith  in  a  crucified  Redeemer.  The  Gospel 
is  the  most  glorious  Revelation  of  God  to  man ;  thfe 
brightest  display  of  his  Justice,  Holiness,  and  Love, 
ever  vouchsafed  to  intelligent  beings.  Here,  we  be- 
hold the  love  of  the  :f'ather.  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost^, 
planning,  executing,  and  applying  the  gracious  work 
of  human  redemption.  lii  the  Gospel  we  have  the 
strongest  motives  to  gratitude  and  obedience.  It  ii 
full  of  the  sweetest  promises  to  every  penitent  be- 
liever, who  flies  to  Jesus  for  life  and  salvation. 

Let  us  enquire  how  this  Gospel  has  come  to  us. 
Has  it  convinced  us  of  our  lost  condition  ?  Has  it 
truly  humbled  us  in  the  sight  of  God  ?  Has  it  made 
us  apply  to  Christ  in  failh,  and  earnest  supplication  ? 
Have  we  experienced  a  change  of  heart,  being  rene\v=- 
ed  in  the  spirit  of  our  mind  ?  Do  we  feel  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  peace  with  God  through  Jesus  Christ? 


202  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

It  is  easy  in  these  days  of  the  Church's  quiet,  to 
pass  for  religious  characters,  since  few  events  occur 
to  try  the  principles  of  professors.  But  all  is  not  ster- 
ling that  dazzles  the  eye.  Many  seem  to  take  delight 
in  religious  institutions,  and  to  be  on  friendly  terms 
with  their  religious  neighbours,  who  yet  remain,  through 
life,  satisfied  with  barren  notions  of  the  Gospel,  and 
strangers  to  its  renovating  power.  May  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit preserve  us  from  this  fatal  error.  Let  us  beware 
of  false  marks,  of  a  false  peace,  and  groundless  hopes  ; 
for  this  truth  stands  immoveably  fixed  in  the  Word  of 
God — "  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  he  is  none  of  his." 

The  doctrines  of  grace,  systematically  arranged  in 
the  mind,  while  the  heart  is  estranged  from  God,  will 
profit  us  no  more  than  the  idea  of  a  valuable  estate 
would  benefit  a  person  on  the  verge  of  bankruptcy,  be- 
cause its  fields,  woods,  and  mansions  were  vividly 
painted  on  his  imagination.  Without  a  personal  in- 
terest in  the  merits  of  Christ,  and  an  experimental  ac- 
quaintance with  his  salvation,  it  is  vain  to  expect  ad- 
mission into  the  celestial  city. 

Nominal  Christianity  neither  receives  nor  confers  a 
blessing.  Thousands  pride  themselves  in  the  name  of 
Christian,  as  if  that  were  sufficient  to  secure  salva- 
tion, in  the  absence  of  every  holy  affection. 

Blessed  are  they,  who  can  unite  with  St.  John  in 
all  the  fulness  of  his  assurance  : — "  We  have  known 
and  believed  the  love  that  God  hath  to  us.  We  know 
that  we  are  of  God.  We  know  that  the  Son  of  God 
is  come,  and  hath  given  us  an  understanding,  that  we 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  203 

may  know  him  that  is  true,  and  we  are  in  him  that  is 
true,  even  in  his  Son  Jesus  Christ." 

As  fallen  creatures,  we  need  a  spiritual  discernment, 
and  a  spiritual  taste.  Without  the  former,  a  thick 
darkness  re.specting  the  things  of  God  would  ever 
shroud  the  understanding  ;  without  the  latter,  no  real 
delight  in  the  riches  of  his  grace  would  be  felt  in  the 
soul.  When  these  blessings  are  imparted,  we  then 
love  Christ  above  every  other  object,  and  obey  his 
Will  above  every  other  law. 

Pride  and  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  are  continually  oppo- 
sing the  humbling  and  the  holy  doctrines  of  the  Gospel. 
Salvation  by  grace,  through  faith,  is  offensive  to  our 
pride.  Salvation  by  grace^  through  the  sanctification 
of  the  Spirit,  is  equally  distasteful  to  our  fleshly  mind. 

The  leaven  of  pride  is  not  wholly  eradicated,  even 
in  the  bosom  of  the  humble  Christian.  There  are 
seasons  when  it  works  with  painful  violence  ;  and 
then,  the  darkness  of  our  minds,  and  the  deadness  of 
our  hearts,  indicate  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  grieved, 
and  that  Satan  has  gained  an  advantage  over  us. 

Spiritual  pride  is  a  subtle  evil.  It  slides  into  our 
prayer,  and  entwines  itself  about  our  praise.  It  spoils 
our  best  duties,  and  creates  that  fondness  for  human 
approbation,  which  puffs  up  the  heart,  and  steals  it 
away  from  God.     Thus  sang  Cowper : 

"  O  popular  Applause !  what  he.irt  of  man 
Is  proof  against  thy  sweet  seducing  charms  ? 
The  wisest  and  the  best  feel  urgent  need 
Of  all  their  caution  in  thy  gentlest  gales : 
But  swell' d  into  a  gust— who  then,  alas ! 
Willi  all  his  canvass  set,  and  inexpert, 
And  therefore  heedless,  can  withstand  thy  pow'r. " 


2,04  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Wh,€n  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  that  word  of  life  and 
reconciliation,  shall  be  exhibited  in. its  spirit  and  power 
by  all  professing  Christians,  happy  indeed  will  the 
period  be !  Then,  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  will 
overspread  the  earth  ;  for  many  will  go  to  and  fro  in 
tjie  name  of  the  Lord,  and  knowledge  sh.all  be  in-. 
qreased. 

Bjut  hp-ve  we  attained  this  consummation,  so  devoutly 
to  be  wished  ?  Is  this  the  aspect  of  the  nominally 
Christian  world  ?  Can  we  say,  that  in  every  place, 
"judgment  run  down  as  waters,  and  righteousness  as 
a,  mighty  stream.?" — Alas !  w;e  have  to  mourn  over 
thousands,  who,  while  they  eagerly  gra&p  after  the. 
fcuit  of  the  tree  of  knowledge,  despise  the  infinitely 
richer  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life. 

If  knowledge  be  power,  how  important,  fpr  thewell- 
hping  of  society,  that  it  be  founded  upon,  and  drawn, 
from,  the  Word  of  God.  Unsanctified  knowledge 
puffeth  up. — It  engenders  schisms  in  the  Church,  and. 
disorders  in  the  state. 

As  a  Christian  people,  we  may  value  ourselves  upon, 
our  benevolent  institutions  and  religious  societies,  and 
think  we  have  done  much  good  in  aiding  their  esta- 
blishment and  enlargement :  but  has  inward  piety  been, 
the  spring  of  our  outward  ex,ertions  ?  Has  love  to 
Christ  been  our  daily  constraining  motive  1  "  Bodily 
exercise  profiteth.  little,  but  godliness  is  profitable  unto 
aU  things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and 
of  that  which  is  to  come."  This,  saith  the  Apostle,  is 
a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation. 

Let  us  view  the  two  portraits  of  mankind  as  drawn 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  203 

by  the  pencil  of  eternal  Truth,  by  which  we  shall  see 
that  raan,  while  unconverted  to  God,  is  the  same  in- 
ternally, whatever  change  may  have  taken  place  in  his 
outward  condition. 

Behold  first  the  picture  which  St.  Paul  draws  of  the 
Heathen  world,  and  which  is  a  faithful  representation 
of  modern  Paganism  ; — *'  God  gave  them  over  (o  a 
reprobate  mind,  being  filled  with  all  unrighteousness, 
fornication,  wickedness,  covetousness,  maliciousness  ; 
full  of  envy,  murder,  debate,  deceit,  malignity ;  whis- 
perers, backbiters,  haters  of  God,  despiteful,  proud, 
boasters,  inventors  of  evil  things,  disobedient  to  par- 
ents, without  understanding,  covenant-breakers,  with- 
out natural  affection,  implacable,  unmerciful :  who, 
knowing  the  judgment  of  God,  that  they  which  com- 
mit such  things  are  worthy  of  death,  not  only  do 
the  same,  but  have  pleasure  in  them  that  do  them," 

O  what  a  deluge  of  evil  has  sin  brought  upon  the 
earth  !  Surely,  where  the  Gospel  shines,  the  prospect 
will  be  cheering.     Happy  could  we  find  it  so. 

Look  at  the  picture  which  the  Apostle  again  draws 
of  the  nominally  Christian  world,  and  the  heart  must 
sicken  at  the  view.—"  In  the  last  days  perilous  times 
shall  come,  for  men  shall  be  lovers  of  their  own  selves, 
covetous,  boasters,  proud,  blasphemers,  disobedient  to 
parents,  unthankful,  unholy,  without  natural  affection, 
truce-breakers,  false  accusers,  incontinent,  fierce,  des- 
pisers  of  those  that  are  good,  traitors,  heady,  high- 
minded,  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lo\'«rs  of  God, 
having  a  form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power 
thereof." 

18 


206  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

How  awful  in  their  features  of  evil  are  these  two 
portraits  of  mankind.  The  Heathen  world,  and  the 
nominally  Christian  world,  are  essentially  the  same. 
Have  we  not  entered  upon  these  predicted  times  of 
peril  ?  Does  not  iniquity,  to  a  frightful  extent,  abound 
amongst  us  ?  Are  not  the  elements  of  confusion  now 
at  work  ?  Do  not  these  detailed  enormities,  both  dis- 
figure and  convulse  the  nations  of  Christendom  ?  The 
Papal  apostacy  is  gathering  its  forces  against  the  truth 
of  the  Bible  :  infidelity  is  waving  its  banners  in  proud 
defiance.  Wordly-mindedness  and  indifference  are 
Bapping  the  foundations  of  the  visible  Church.  Sen- 
suality and  profaneness  stain  the  Christian  name. 
Pure  and  undefiled  religion  is  branded  as  enthusiasm  : 
while  the  humble  follower  of  Christ,  who  mourns  in 
secret  over  his  country's  crimes,  and  pleads  for  God 
before  a  sneering  world,  is  made  a  butt  for  ridicule, 
and  the  sport  of  scorn. 

The  heart  of  man  naturally  revolts  against  this  faith- 
ful exposure  of  its  enormities.  Our  pride  fondly  shel- 
ters itself  under  the  dignity  of  human  nature.  We 
cannot  bear  to  be  told,  how  wicked  we  are  ;  how  very 
far  gone,  even  as  far  as  possible,  from  original  right- 
eousness. But  the  Bible  is  wojiatterer :  it  is  a  faithful 
mirror,  in  which  we  may  clearly  see,  (if  we  have  eyes 
to  see)  our  real  state,  divested  of  all  paint  and  covering. 
This  offends  our  pride ;  we  cannot  endure  the  sight ; 
therefore  we  turn  away  with  disgust  from  this  Holy 
Book,  and  consider  it  our  enemy,  because  it  tells  us 
the  truth. 

Is  not  the  lanoruaore  of  our  hearts  tOQ  much  in  unison 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  207 

with  those  of  old,  who  said,  to  the  seers,  see  not ;  and 
to  the  prophets,  prophesy  not  unto  us  right  things, 
speak  unto  us  smooth  things,  prophesy  deceit?  And, 
are  there  not  too  many  ministers  who  apply  the  flat- 
tering unction  to  the  conscience,  like  those,  of  whom 
the  Lord  thus  speaks  :  "  Because,  even  because  they 
have  seduced  my  people,  saying  peace,  and  there  was 
no  peace :  and  one  built  up  a  wall,  and  lo,  others 
daubed  it  with  untempered  mortar ;  it  shall  fall,  and 
ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  1" 

How  awakening  is  the  command  of  Jehovah  to  all 
his  ministering  servants ;  "  Cry  aloud,  spare  not,  lift 
up  thy  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  show  my  people  their 
transgressions,  and  the  house  of  Jacob  their  sins. — 
Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  in  Zion,  and  sound  an  alarm  in 
my  holy  mountain  ;  let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  land 
tremble,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  cometh,  it  is  nigh  at 
hand."  But,  when  the  alarm  is  sounded,  and  when 
sinners  are  warned  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
they  treat  both  the  messenger  and  his  message  with 
contempt.  They  are  like  the  sons  of  Lot,  of  whom  it 
is  recorded  ;  "  And  Lot  went  out,  and  spake  unto  his 
sons-in-law  which  married  his  daughters,  and  said : 
up,  get  you  out  of  this  place,  for  the  Lord  will  destroy 
this  city.  But  he  seemed  as  one  that  mocked  unto 
his  sons-in  law." 

As  it  was  in  the  days  of  Lot,  even  so  it  is  now. 
When  the  faithful  servant  of  Christ,  with  the  Bible  in 
his  hand,  and  the  love  of  souls  in  his  heart,  lifts  up  his 
voice,  saying;  "Arise  ye,  and  depart;  for  this  is  not 
your  rest :  because  it  is  polluted,  it  shall  destroy  you, 


208  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

even  with  a  sore  destruclion  :" — his  voice  is  unheed- 
ed ;  and  with  Isaiah  he  has  to  mourn — '*Lord,  who 
hath  believed  our  report  ? — 1  have  spread  out  my  hands 
all  the  day  unto  a  rebellious  people." 

Regardless  alike  of  the  displeasure  of  the  world,  or 
worldly  professors  of  godliness,  St.  Paul  boldly  de- 
clared, "  God  is  not  mocked,  for  whatsoever  a  man 
soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap.  He  that  soweth  to 
his  flesh,  shall  of  the  flesh  reap  corruption.  Now  the 
works  of  the  flesh  are  manifest,  which  are  these, 
adultery,  fornication,  uncleanness,  laciviousness,  idola- 
try, witchcraft,  hatred,  variance,  emulations,  wrath, 
strife,  seditions,  heresies,  envyings,  murders,  drunk- 
enness, revellings,  and  such  like  :  of  the  which  I  tell 
you  before,  as  I  have  also  told  you  in  time  past,  that 
they  which  do  such  things  shall  not  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  God." 

Let  us  compare  these  works  of  the  flesh  which  ex- 
clude the  soul  from  heaven,  with  the  already  enumer- 
ated sins  of  the  Heathen,  and  of  the  nominally  Chris- 
tian world,  and  we  must  tremble  for  the  millions  who 
are  living  in  the  constant  indulgence  of  these  iniqui- 
ties, and  who  are  travelling,  if  grace  save  them  not,  to. 
eternal  ruin.  It  may  sound  uncharitable  to  the  fastidi- 
ous ear,  but  the  Word  of  God  cannot  be  broken  ;  "  He 
that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.  If  ye  live  after 
the  flesh  ye  shall  die." 

How  faithful  is  the  pen  of  inspiration.  The  very 
evils  which  we  now  lament,  prove  the  truth  of  that 
Book,  which  has  foretold  those  miseries  that  are  com- 
ing upon  the  earth. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  209 

But  let  us  not  despond, — '*  The  Lord  reigneth,  be 
the  earth  never  so  unquiet."  He  guideth  the  compli- 
cated machine  of  human  events,  and  can,  by  his  over- 
ruling power,  make  all  these  evils  iSnally  to  promote 
the  spirituality  and  enlargement  of  his  Church. 

Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord,  whose  wisdom 
is  as  infinite  as  his  power,  and  whose  love  is  commen- 
surate with  eternity  ? 

Let  us  then,  with  fervency  pray  for  the  gracious 
outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  that  promised  season 
of  refreshing  from  His  presence,  which,  descending 
in  showers  of  blessings  upon  our  country  and  the 
world,  will  transform  the  moral  desert  into  the  garden 
of  the  Lord. 

Blessed  Jesus !  look  in  mercy  upon  thine  inheri- 
tance ;  cause  thy  face  to  shine,  and  we  shall  be  saved. 
Show  thy  servants  thy  work,  and  their  children  thy 
glory. 

"  From  thy  seat  of  mercy  bending, 

Where  thou  sitt'st  enthron'd  on  high, 
Lord,  in  pity  condescending, 
Hear  a  helpless  sinner's  cry. 

•'  By  unwearied  foes  surrounded^ 
Without  strength  to  fight  or  flfee, 
Let  me  never  be  confounded, 
For  my  hope  is  placed  on  thee. 

"  In  the  hour  of  tribulation. 

To  thy  promise,  Lord,  I  cling ; 
From  the  storm  of  fierce  temptation 
Shield  me  with  thy  guardian  wing. 

"  Let  the  weight  of  earthly  trials 
Drive  me  nearer  to  thy  breast 

18* 


2l0l  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

And  afflictions  bitter  trials, 
Make  thy  blessings  doubly  blest 

"  Then,  though  dangers'  troubled  ocean, 
Threat  me  with  its  rudest  shock, 
Safe  I  view  its  wild  commotion 
Anchor'd  on  the  Eternal  Rock. " 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

St.  Paul's  prophetic  view  of  the  second  advent 
OF  CHRIST.     His  cautions  against  unbelief  and 

SPIRITUAL  PRIDE. 

While  drawing  the  features  of  our  fallen  race,  the  in- 
spired Apostle  dipped  his  pencil  in  the  darkest  col- 
ours ;• — but,  when  consoling  the  suffering  Church,  he, 
like  the  ancient  prophets,  presented  to  the  eye  of  faith 
the  brightest  views  of  future  glory. 

Wrapt  in  mystic  vision,  Paul  saw  the  blessedness 
of  heaven,  and  rejoiced  in  the  hope  of  glory  soon  to 
be  revealed.  With  sacred  delight  he  proclaimed  the 
divine  purpose  and  grace,  which  are  now  made  mani- 
fest by  the  appearing  of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  who 
hath  abolished  death,  and  brought  life  and  immortality 
to  light  through  the  Gospel.  It  was  this  glorious  hope, 
this  hope  full  of  immortality,  this  blessed,  this  lively 
hope,  yea,  this  good  hope  through  grace,  which  sup- 
ported the  persecuted  saints,  and  enabled  them  to  take 
joyfully  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,  knowing  in  them- 
selves, that  they  had  in  heaven,  a  better,  and  an  endur- 
ing substance. 

O!  how  cheering  to  the  wearied  traveller,  is  the 
rest  of  home  ;  how  delightful  to  the  captive,  is  the  air 
of  freedom. — Though  painful,  it  will. yet  be  profitable 


212  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

to  reflect  upon  those  trials  which  the  early  Christians 
so  nobly  underwent  for  Jesus  sake. 

Cyprian,  the  venerable  bishop  of  Carthage,  thus  de- 
scribes the  sufferings  of  the  primitive  believers : 
"They  were  scourged,  and  beaten,,  and  racked,  and 
roasted,  and  their  flesh  pulled  off  with  burning  pincers, 
beheaded,  with,  swords,. and  run  through  with  spears,, 
more  instruments  of  torment  being  many  times  employ- 
ed about  the  man  at  once,  than  there  were  limbs  and 
members  of  his  body  ;  they  were  spoiled  and  plunder- 
ed, chained  and  imprisoned,  thrown  to  wild  beasts,  and 
burnt  at  the  stake.  And  when  their  persecutors  had 
run  over  all  their  old  methods  of  execution,  they  stu- 
died more.  Nor  did  they  only  vary,  but  repeat  the 
torments  ;  and  where  one  ended,  another  began.  They 
tortured  them  without  hopes  of  dying,  and  added  this 
cruelty  to  all  the  rest,  to  stop  them  in  their  journey  to- 
heaven.  Many  who  were  importunately  desirous  of 
death,  were  so  tortured,  that  they  might  not  die, — they 
were  purposely  kept  upon  the  rack,  that  they  might  die 
by  piece-meals,  that  their  pains  might  be  lingering,  and 
their  sense  of  them  without  intermission ;  they  gave* 
no  intervals,  or  times  of  respite,  unless  any  of  them 
chanced  to  give  them  the  slip  and  expire  in  the  midst 
of  torments.  All  which  did^  but  render  their  faith  and 
patience  more  illustrious,  and  make  them  more  ear* 
nestly  long  for  heaven.  They  tired  out  their  tormen- 
tors, and  overcame  the  sharpest  engines  of  executiouj 
and  smiled  at  the  busy  officers  that  were  raking  in 
their  wounds ;  and  when  their  flesh  was  wearied; 
their  faith  was  unconquerable.     The  multitude  beheld 


CHRISTIAN-    EXPERIENCE.  213, 

with  admiration  the&e  heavenly  conflicts,  and  stood  as- 
tonished to  hear  the  servants  of  Christ  in  the  midst  of 
all  this,  with  an  unshaken  mind,  making  a  free  and 
bold  confession  of  Him,  destitute  of  any  external  suc- 
cour, but  armed  with  a  divine  power,  and  defending 
themselves  with  the  shield  of  faith."  Can  it  be  a 
matter  of  wonder,  that  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  should 
have  been  the  seed  of  the  Church.— To  animate  be- 
lievers under  all  their  sufferings,  the  blessed  Paul 
lighted  up  their  path  to  the  lions  and  to  the  stake,  by 
the  fullest  of  assurances  of  their  eternal  glory. 

Oh  !  that  we,  like  them,  may  value  the  Gos^pel  above> 
every  earthly  treasure.  The  Gospel  speaks  pardon 
and  peace  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  ;  the  Gospel  un- 
folds to  our  view  a  day  of  wonders  ;  a  day,  which, 
like  the  pillar  of  the  cloud,  will  give  light  to  the  chil- 
dren of  God,  while  his  enemies  shall  be  enveloped  ia 
darkness.  The  glories  of  that  day,  when  Christ  shall! 
appear  in  his  majesty  to  judge  the  quick  and  dead, 
were  revealed  to  the  favoured  Apostle  in  all  their 
grandeur. 

When  writing  to  the  Church  of  Corinth  he  was  per- 
mitted to  draw  up  the  awful  veil  which  hides  futurity 
from  our  view  ; — "  I  show  you  a  mystery,  we  shall  not 
all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed,  in  a  moment,  in 
the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump ;  for  the 
trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be  raised  in- 
corruptible, and  we  shall  be  changed.  For  this  cor- 
ruptible must  put  on  incorruption,  and  this  mortal  must 
put  on  immortality.     Then  shall  be  brought  to  pass 


214  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

tTie  saying  that  is  written  :  Death  is  swallowed  up  in 
victory." 

With  equal  sublimity  he  makes  known  these  won- 
ders to  the  church  at  Thessalonica  ;  "  This  we  say 
unto  you  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  we  which  are 
alive,  and  remain  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  shall 
not  prevent  them  which  are  asleep.  For  the  Lord 
himself  shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with 
the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  of  God  ; 
and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first :  Then  we,  which 
are  alive  and  remain,  shall  be  caught  up  together  with 
them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air :  and 
so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.  Wherefore,  com- 
fort one  another  with  these  words." 

To  the  Philippians  he  also  gave  this  animating 
hope  ;  "  Our  conversation  is  in  heaven,  from  whence 
we  look  for  the  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
shall  change  our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned 
like  unto  his  glorious  body,  according  to  the  working, 
whereby  he  is  able  even  to  subdue  all  things  unto 
himself." 

What  a  revelation  of  grace  and  mercy  is  the  Gos- 
pel of  Jesus  Christ. — "Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord."  A  glorious  brightness  will  illumine 
the  morning  of  their  resurrection,  when  they  shall  be 
called  to  swell  the  train  of  the  all-conquering  Messiah. 
Rut  oh !  how  awful  will  be  the  gloom  which  awaits 
the  resurrection  of  the  wicked !  If  there  be  a  glare 
of  light,  darting  through  the  darkness  of  that  momen- 
tous period,  it  will  be  the  light  of  vengeance,  emana- 
ting from  the  insulted  Majesty  of  heaven,  "  for  our  God 


G«RISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  215 

is  a  consuming  fire."  To  the  wilful  abusers  of  divine 
mercy,  there  will  then  remain  nothing  but  judgment 
and  fiery  indignation.  The  despisers  of  godliness  will 
find,  when  too  late,  that  "  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  living  God." 

Jesus  has  graciously  forewarned  us  of  the  sudden* 
ness  of  his  approach. — "  As  it  was  in  the  days  of 
Noah,  so  shall  it  be  also  in  the  days  of  the  Son  of 
man.  They  did  eat,  they  drank,  they  married  wives, 
they  were  given  in  marriage,  until  the  day  that  Noah 
entered  into  the  ark,  and  the  flood  came  and  destroyed 
them  all.  Even  thus  shall  it  be  in  the  day  when  the 
Son  of  man  is  revealed." 

Taught  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  St.  Paul  thus  warns 
the  churches  ; — "  The  day  of  the  Lord  so  cometh  as  a 
thief  in  the  night  •,  for  when  they  shall  say,  peace  and 
safety,  then  sudden  destruction  cometh  upon  them,  as 
travail  upon  a  woman  with  child,  and  they  shall  not 
escape." 

The  deluge  came  with  fury  poured  out,  sweeping 
away  whole  nations,  till  all  the  shrieks  and  groans  of 
drowning  millions  were  silenced  in  the  deep.  Equally 
overv^helming  will  be  the  second  coming  of  Christ ; — 
"  For  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven 
with  his  mighty  angels  in  flaming  fire,  taking  ven- 
geance on  them  that  know  not  God,  and  that  obey  not 
the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  be 
punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  pre^ 
sence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  glory  of  his  power» 
when  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints,  and 
to  be  admired  in  all  them  that  believe." 


216  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

The  earth,  with  all  its  idolized  possessions,  shall 
then  perish  in  the  general  conflagration.  At  the  very- 
time,  when  worldly  minds  are  in  eager  pursuit  after 
wealth  and  honour, — the  day  of  the  Lord  will  come. 
It  will  come  as  a  snare  upon  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth, — it  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  But  oh ! 
"  who  shall  abide  its  coming,  when  the  heavens  shall 
pass  away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the  elements  shall 
melt  with  fervent  heat;  when  the  earth  also,  and  the 
works  that  are  therein,  shall  be  burned  up." 

Carnal  men  may  ridicule  the  warning  voice,  but  He, 
who  cannot  lie,  has  proclaimed,  through  His  Word, 
this  awakening  truth ;  that,  "  the  heavens  and  the 
earth  which  are  now,  are  kept  in  store,  reserved  unto 
fire,  against  the  day  of  judgment  and  perdition  of  un- 
godly men." 

Death  and  destruction  will  be  the  end  of  sin  and 
sinners.  But  God  is  love.  Every  truth  of  His  Gos- 
pel, when  received  in  faith,  has  a  sanctifying  influence 
on  the  heart.  These  sublime  revelations  of  the  second 
coming  of  Christ,  were  therefore  employed  by  the 
Apostle  as  powerful  excitements  to  the  duty  of  per- 
sonal holiness  :  '*  it  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep  ; 
the  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand.  Let  us 
therefore  cast  ofl"  the  works  of  darkness,  and  let  us  put 
on  the  armour  of  light ;  waiting  for  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  both  will  bring  to  light  the 
hidden  things  of  darkness,  and  will  make  manifest  the 
counsels  of  the  hearts  ;  for  we  must  all  appear  before 
the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  that  every  one  may  re- 
ceive the  things  done  in  his  body,  according  to  that 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  217 

he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad.  Knowing 
therefore  the  terror  of  the  Lord  we  persuade  men." 
Peter,  like  his  beloved  brother,  exhorted  believers  to 
the  practice  of  universal  holiness :  "  Seeing,  then, 
that  all  these  things  shall  be  dissolved,  what  manner 
of  persons  ought  ye  to  be  in  all  holy  conversation  and 
godliness ;  looking  for,  and  hasting  unto,  the  coming 
of  the  day  of  God,  wherein  the  heavens  being  on  fire, 
shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with 
fervent  heat." 

Will  the  Church  of  Christ  suffer  loss  by  this  awful 
devastation  ?  Far  otherwise.  The  sinner's  downfal 
will  be  the  day  of  the  believer's  exaltation. 

How  cheering  to  every  child  of  God,  is  the  assur- 
ance and  exhortation  of  St.  Peter;  "We,  according  to 
his  promise,  look  for  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth, 
wherein  dwelleth  righteousness.  Wherefore,  beloved, 
seeing  that  ye  look  for  such  things,  be  diligent,  that  ye 
may  be  found  of  him  in  peace,  without  spot  and  blame- 
less." 

Oh !  that  the  Eternal  Spirit  may  awaken  our  soli- 
citude and  quicken  our  steps  to  the  only  Ark  of  safe-^ 
ly.  Jesus  is  the  sinner's  refuge  from  the  coming  storm. 
Abiding  in  him  by  faith,  we  shall  be  quiet  from  fear  of 
€vil,  amidst  the  melting  elements,  and  a  burning  world. 
When  the  wicked  are  calling  upon  the  rocks  and  hiljs 
Xo  cover  them,  and  to  hide  them  from  the  face  of  Him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  from  the  wrath  of  the 
Lamb,  the  righteous  shall  lift  up  their  heads  with  joy ; 
for  He,  who  summons  the  world  to  judgment,  is  their 

frie&d  and  Saviour. 

19 


218  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

To  the  Apostles,  the  second  coming  of  Christ  was, 
therefore,  a  period  of  joyful  expectation.  "When  they 
would  support  believers  under  the  pressure  of  affliction, 
they  did  not  draw  their  consolation  chiefly  from  the 
prospect  of  death,  as  being  the  termination  of  their 
bodily  sufferings :  but  from  the  glorious  appearing  of 
their  God  and  Saviour,  who  would  re-animate  their 
sleeping  dust,  and  complete  their  glorification  in  his 
eternal  kingdom.  They  calmly  reposed  all  their  hopes 
upon  the  faithfulness  of  Jehovah ;  and  knowing  in 
whom  they  had  believed,  they  could  strengthen  the 
weary  pilgrim,  by  the  sweetest  assurance  of  final  rest. 

Filled  with  these  bright  expectations  of  future 
glory,  founded  on  the  promises  of  Jesus,  the  happy 
Paul  animated  the  Philippian  converts  ; — "  I  thank 
my  God  upon  every  remembrance  of  you,  being  con- 
fident of  this  very  thing,  that  he  which  hath  begun  a 
good  work  in  you,  will  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Je- 
sus Christ ;  even  as  it  is  meet  for  me  to  think  this  of 
you  all,  because  I  have  you  in  my  heart,  inasmuch  as 
both  in  my  bonds,  and  in  the  defence  and  confirmation 
of  the  Gospel,  ye  all  are  partakers  of  my  grace." 

Being  well  acquainted  with  the  innate  evils  of  the 
heart,  his  Epistles  are  models  for  ministerial  faithful- 
ness ;  in  which,  to  guard  us  against  false  security  and 
presumption,  caution  is  blended  with  encouragement, 
— warnings  with  promises, — and  fear  with  hope. 

Many  are  the  hindrances,  and  many  the  snares 
which  beset  us  on  our  way  to  glory.  The  corrup- 
tion of  the  heart — the  subtlety  of  Satan — the  power 
of  temptation — the  fear  of  man — the  allurements  of 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  219 

the  world — are  continually,  in  one  way  or  other,  op- 
posing our  journey  heavenward.  But  Christ  is  our 
Saviour.  His  wisdom  is  engaged  to  guide  us,  and  his 
power  to  uphold  and  defend  us. 

Happy  then  is  the  man,  whom  grace  has  united  to 
the  Friend  of  sinners.  Because  Jesus  lives  he  shall 
live  also. — Whilst  in  the  body  he  lives  by  faith  in  the 
blood  of  Jesus — by  faith  in  the  power  of  Jesus — by 
faith  in  the  promise  of  Jesus :  and  when  out  of  the 
body,  his  perfect  spirit  shall  for  ever  dwell  with  Je- 
sus. 

Drawing  back  from  God  is  drawing  onwards  to  perdi- 
tion. The  farther  we  depart  from  God  the  nearer  we 
approach  to  ruin.  How  important  then  is  the  grace  of 
perseverance.  The  distinguishing  mark  of  true  be- 
lievers consist  in  their  abiding  in  Christ,  and  eviden- 
cing tha-t  union  by  th«  fruilfulness  of  their  hves.  Mere 
outward  profession  is  no  certain  indication  of  inward 
piety,  neither  is  a  long  continued  profession  any  safe- 
guard against  declension  or  final  apostacy.  Who  would 
have  thought,  that  Solomon,  the  wisest  of  men,  who 
built  so  magnificent  a  temple  for  the  worship  of  Jeho- 
vah, and  who  prayed  so  fervently  at  its  dedication, 
would,  in  his  old  age,  have  been  turned  away  after 
other  gods,  and  been  led  even  to  build  high  places  for 
the  abomination  of  the  Heathen ! — Surely  he  who 
trusteth  his  own  heart  is  a  fool. 

After  many  years  of  promise,  the  heart  may  discov- 
er its  insincerity,  should  God  be  pleased  to  bring  the 
professor  of  his  religion  into  the  furnace,  either  of 
prosperity  ot  of  adversity.     Deraas  fell  through  the 


^20  CHRjKTLAN    EXPERIENOEi 

Ijove  of  this  present  world ;  the  stony  ground  hearec 
withered  away,  beneath  the  scorching  beams  of  per- 
secution. Nothing  but  the  grace  of  God  can  keep  us. 
from  falhng,  either  partially  or  finally.  Can  we  then, 
be  surprised,  that  the  well  instructed  Paul,  who  preach- 
ed the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  with  such  unmix- 
ed purity,  should  guard  its  possessors  against  the 
wiles  of  Satan,,  and  the  remaining  corruption  of  their 
hearts  ? 

Having  explained  to  the  Corinthians  the  spiritual 
privileges  of  the  Israelites,  he  tells  them,—"  But  with 
many  of  them  God  was  not  well  pleased,  for  they  were- 
overthrown  in  the  wilderness.  Now  these  things 
were  our  examples,  to  the  intent  we  should  not  lust 
after  evil  things,  as  they  also  lusted..  All  these  things 
happened  unto  them  for  examples,  and  they  are  written: 
for  our  admonition,  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world 
are  come.  Wherefore,  let  him  that  thinketh  he  stand- 
eth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall."  Then,  for  their  confi- 
dence in  the  faithfulness  of  their  Redeemer,  he  adds,. 
— "  There  hath  no  temptation  taken  you,  but  such  as. 
is  common  to  man :  but  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not. 
suffer  you  to  be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able ;  but 
will  with  the  temptation  also  make  a  way  to  escape, 
that  ye  may  be  able  to  bear  it." 

In  like  manner  the  Apostle  showed  the  Hebrew 
converts  the  danger  of  unbelief,  as  exemplified  in  their 
own  history ; — "  With  whom  was  he  grieved  forty 
years  1  Was  it  not  with  them  that  had  sinned,  whose 
carcasses  fell  in  the  wilderness?  And  to  whom^ 
sware  he  that  they  should,  not  enter  into  his  rest,.but  to, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  221 

Aem  that  believed  not  ?  So  we  see  that  they  could 
not  enter  in,  because  of  unbelief. 

With  close  self-application,  he  then  presses  this  fact 
on  their  consciences  ;- — "  Let  us  therefore  fear,  lest  a 
promise  being  left  us  of  entering  into  his  rest,  any  of 
y^u  should  seem  to  come  short  of  it.  Let  us  labour 
to  enter  into  that  rest,  lest  any  man  fall  after  the  same 
example  of  unbelief — for  there  remaineth  a  rest  to  the 
people  of  God." 

Lest  an  undue  fear  of  losing  heaven  should  arise  in 
their  hearts  from  the  awful  examples  which  he  had 
brought  before  them,  and  so  cause  their  hands  to  wax 
feeble,  and  their  feet  to  grow  weary  ;.  how  delightfully 
does  he  compose  their  apprehensions  by  a  view  of  the 
tenderness  and  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ ; — "  Seeing 
that  we  have  a  Great  High-Priest  that  is  passed  into 
the  heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  hold  fast  our 
profession  ;  for  we  have  not  an  high-priest  which  can- 
not be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities  ;  but 
was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without 
sin.  Let  us  therefore  come  boldly  unto  the  throne  of 
grace,  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to 
help  in  time  of  need.  For  we  are  made  partakers  of 
€hrist,  if  we  hold  the  beginning  of  our  confidence, 
steadfast  unto  the  end." 

What  a  wonderful  display  of  mercy  and  judgment  is 
also  revealed  to  us  in  the  eleventh  chapter  to  the  Ro- 
mans. The  Apostle  himself  was  so  overpowered  by 
the  view  of  the  divine  sovereignty.,  that,  like  a  person 
standing  on  the  brink  of  some  vast  abyss,  he  exclaimed, 
•^"  Oh,!,  the  depth  of.  the  riches-  both  of  the  wisdom 
19* 


222  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

and  knowledge  of  God;   how  unsearchable  are  his 
judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding  out!" 

The  Jews,  as.. a  peoplfe,  having  rejected  their  Mes- 
siah, were  to  be  cut  off  because  of  unbelief:  while 
the  Gentiles,  embracing  the  offers  of  mercy  through 
faith  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  should  be  grafted  into  the 
good  olive  tree — ^the  Church  of  God.  But,  lest  this 
grace  should  be  abused  through  spiritual  pride,  the 
Apostle,  with  his  wonted  fidelity,  guards  them  against 
an  evil  so  offensive  to  God : — "  Boast  not  thyself 
against  the  branches.  But,  if  thou  boast,  thou  bearest 
not  the  root,  but  the  root  thee.  Thou  wilt  say  then  : 
The  branches  were  broken  off,  that  I  might  be  graffed 
in.  Well;  because  of  unbelief  they  were  broken  off,, 
and  thou  standest  by  faith.  Be  not  high-minded,  but* 
fear.  For  if  God  spared  not  the  natural  branches, 
take  heed,  lest  he  also  spare  not  thee." 

Is  then  the  promise  made  to  Abraham  come  utterly, 
to  an  end?  Has  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious?  Can 
his  truth  fail?  St,  Paul  answers  these  questions  : — "  T 
would  not,  brethren,  that  ye  should  be  ignorant  of  this 
mystery,  lest  ye  should  be  wise  in  your  own  conceits  ;. 
that  blindness  in  part  is  happened  to  Israel,  until  the 
fulness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come  in,  and  so  all  Israel 
shall  be  saved.  As  concerning  the  Gospel,  they  are 
enemies  for  your  sake s  ;  but  as  touching  the  election, 
they  are  beloved  for  the  Father's  sake ;  for  the  gifts 
and  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance." 

To  the  disputer  of  this  world,  who  impiously  cavils 
at  the  dispensations  of  Jehovah,  and  measures  His, 
dealings  by  the  scanty  lijies  of  humun  reason,  we.^ 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  223 

would  say  with  Zophar ; — '•  Canst  thou  by  searching 
find  out  God  ?  Canst  thou  find  out  the  Almighty  unto 
perfection?  It  is  high  as  heaven,  what  canst  thou  do? 
deeper  than  hell,  what  canst  thou  know  V  The  mea- 
sure thereof  is  longer  than  the  earth,,  and  broader  than 
the  sea." 

True  humility  is  the  basis  of  excellience  in  the 
Christian  character.  The  humble  believer  will  not 
dare  to  arraign  the  eternal  God  before  the  bar  of  his 
finite  understanding.  His  language  and  feelings  are 
those  of  the  Psalmist ; — "  Righteous  art  thou,  O  Lord, 
and  upright  are  thy  judgments  ;"  while  with  the  lowly 
minded  Apostle  he  asks  with  profound  admiration, 
"Who  hath  known  the  mind  of  the  Lord?  or  who 
hath  been  his  counsellor?  or,  who  hath  first  given  to 
him,  and  it  shall  be  recompensed  unto  him  again  ?  For 
of  him,  and  through  him,  and  to  him,  are  all  things ; 
to  whom  be  glory  for  ever.  Amen." 

True  humility  is  ever  accompanied  by  a  patient 
continuance  in  well-doing.  How  important  to  all  who 
desire  an  interest  in  those  blessings  which  shall  ter- 
minate in  eternal  glory,  are  the  words  which  Jesus 
spake  to  the  Jews  who  followed  him ; — "  If  ye  conti- 
nue in  my  word^,  then  are  ye  my  disciples  indeed, 
and  ye  shall  know  the  truth,  and  the  truth  shall  make 
you  free." 

To  continue  in  the  Word;  of  Christ,  we  must  first 
know  it ;  and  in  order  to  know  it,  we  must  diligently 
study  it.  But  as  a  peculiar  state  of  heart  is  required 
to  the  right  understanding  of  the  Word  of  Christ, 
which,  w.e  have  not  naturally^  we  must;  be  earnest  in. 


224  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

prayer  for  the  sacred  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
As  new-born  babes  we  muat  desire  the  sincere  milk 
of  the  Word,  that  we  may  grow  thereby.  In  the  spirit 
of  children,  we  must  receive  with  meekness  the  en- 
grafted Word,  which  is  able  to  save  our  souls.  With 
humility  and  teachableness  we  must  sit  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus,  and  listen  to  his  voice. 

But,  to  receive  rightly  the  Word  of  God,  we  must 
nhide  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ.  We  must  continue 
steadfast  in  the  profession  of  the  Truth.  We  must  not 
be  carried  about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine,  but  have 
our  hearts  established,  and' our  hopes  rooted  and  built 
up  in  Christ.  We  must  walk  with  holy  perseverance 
in  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel,  not  starting  aside  like  a 
broken  bow,  nor  drawing  back  unto  perdition ;  but 
going  on  with  progressive  step  from  grace  to  grace, 
till  we  appear  before  God  in  glory.  If  we  are  enabled, 
through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  thus  to  study, 
receive,  and  abide  in  the  Word  of  Christ,  evidencing 
our  union  to  Jesus  by  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  we 
shall  be  privileged  to  enjoy  the  sweet  promises  of  the 
Gospel ;  for  our  Lord  hath  declared,  "  Then  are  ye 
my  disciples  indeed^  1 

How  expressive  is  the  word^ — indeed:  It  implies, 
that  all  who  seem  to  be  disciples,  are  not  disciples  in- 
deed. This  was  the  case  with  some  of  those  Jews 
who  surrounded  our  Saviour  when  he  made  this  decla- 
ration,— "  They  were  offended  at  his  doctrine,  and 
walked  no  more  with  him;'* 

Are  no  such  instances  of  defection  to  be  found 
amongst  us  ?    Do  we  never  see  some,  who,  having  run. 


GHRIS.TUN    EXPERIENCE.  225 

well  for  a  season,  turn  back  again  into  the  world? 
When  Jesus  appeals  to  our  affection,  as  he  did  to  that 
of  his  disciples,  "  Will  ye  also  go  away  ?"  can  we  re- 
ply with  Peter's  sincerity,  "  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we 
go?  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life."  Stability 
in  the  truth  of  the  Gospel,  and  continuance  in  well 
doing,  are  essentially  requisite  if  we  would  be  disci- 
ples indeed. 

To  the  persevering  believer,  Jesus  has  promised 
eternal  glory ;  "  He  that  endureth  unto  the  end  shall 
be  saved.  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  grant  to  sit 
with  me  in  my  throne.  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death, 
and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life." 

The  question,  then,  for  self-examination  is  not  so 
much  what  we  were^  as  what  we  are.  If  we  are  now 
cold,  indifferent,  and  worldly,  it  matters  not  how  zeal- 
pus  we  might  once  have  been.  Our  former  state  of 
zeal  and  active  exertion  can  yield  us  no  present  profit, 
except  as  it  thunders  in  our  ears,  "  Remember  from 
whence  thou  art  fallen,  and  repent,  and  do  the  first 
works." 

O !  may  we  never  substitute  knowledge  for  grace, 
profession  for  principle,  words  for  practice,  nor  zeal 
for  love. 

The  tinselled  Christian  may  gain  the  admiration  of 
those  who  regard  the  outward  appearance,  but  he  will 
never  be  approved  of  by  Him  who  looketh  at  the  heart. 

When  God  teaches,  he  teaches  to  profit ;  and  the 
effect  of  his  teaching  is  visible  to  all,  by  the  renewal 
of  the  heart  unto  holiness.  Hence  our  Lord  does  not 
say  merely,  "  Ye  shall  know  the  Truth ;"  but,  as  if  he 


226  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

intended  particularly  to  guard  his  followers  against 
resting  in  barren  speculations,  he  subjoins,  "  And  the 
truth  shall  make  yoxx  free." 

The  truth,  received  into  the  heart,  makes  the  believ- 
er free,  from  the  condemning  power  of  the  law,  from 
the  pollution  of  sin,  from  the  tyranny  of  Satan,  from 
th«  fascinations  of  the  world,  from  the  fear  of  death, 
from  the  torments  of  hell. 

Learn  then,  thou  follower  of  the  lowly  Saviour,  to 
bear  contempt  with  cheerfulness,  when  contempt  is 
poured  upon  thee,  because  thou  art  a  disciple  indeed., 
and  boldly  confessest  thy  faith  and  hope  in  the  atone- 
ment of  Jesus. 

It  is  easy,  in  a  circl«  of  Christian  friends,  to  admire 
humility,  and  to  descant  upon  the  duty  of  bearing  re- 
proach with  patience ;  but  when  we  find  ourselves 
really  despised, — when  we  are  set  at  nought  where 
we  expected  to  be  honoured ; — then  is  the  time,  when 
pride  and  mortified  self-love  will  rankle  in  our  bosom, 
and  when  our  utmost  vigilance  will  be  required  to 
overcome  these  evil  workings  of  the  flesh. 

At  seasons  like  these,  let  us  look  unto  Jesus.  Let 
us  consider  him,  who  endured  such  contradiction  of 
sinners  against  himself,  lest  we  be  weary  and  faint  in 
our  mindls.  Let  us  remember  what  he  suff"ered  for  our 
sakes,  though  Lord  of  all,  that  we  may  be  abased  at 
the  sight  of  ourselves,  and  lie  in  self-abhorrence  at  the 
foot  of  the  cross.  And  for  our  encouragement  to  per- 
severe, let  us  never  forget  his  own  gracious  words, 
"  Whosoever  shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I 
also  confess  before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven."' 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  227 

How  blessed  then  is  the  Christian  indeed.  He  fol- 
lows the  Lord  fully ;  his  every  power  is  devoted  to 
his  service.  He  knows  the  truth  through  the  teaching 
of  the  Spirit ;  he  receives  the  truth  in  the  simplicity 
of  a  little  child  ;  he  continues  in  the  truth,  amidst  er- 
rors of  every  name ;  and  abiding  therein,  firm  unto 
the  end,  he  obtains,  at  length,  through  the  merits  of 
his  Saviour,  that  crown  of  glory  which  fadeth  not 
away. 

0  that  we  may  all  be  Christians  indeed,  the  meek 
and  lowly  followers  of  the  Lamb,  bearing  his  image 
in  humility,  love,  and  purity,  till  we  each  resemble 
him  in  his  perfection  of  beauty,  when  we  shall  see 
him  as  he  is,  in  his  eternal  kingdom, 

"  Thou  God  of  holiness  and  love, 
Whose  nune  transports  the  saints  above, 

In  their  celestial  spheres ; 
On  Thee,  in  feeble  strauis  I  call, 
And  raise  my  humble  voice  with  all 
The  heav'nly  choristers. 

"  O !  might  I  with  thy  saints  aspire, 
The  meanest  of  thy  dazzl'ing  choir 

Who  chaunt  thy  praise  above : 
Mix'd  with  the  bright  seraphic  band. 
May  I  a  heav'nly  harper  stand, 

And  sing  redeeming  love. 

*'  What  extacy  of  bliss  is  there, 
While  all  the  happy  spirits  share 

In  never-ending  joys ; 
What  more  than  extacy,  when  all 
In  holy  adoration  fall, 

At  Jesus'  glorious  voice. 

*•  Jesus!  the  heav'n  of  heav'ns  is, 
The  foiuit  of  purity  and  bliss ; 


228  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

And  while  on  him  we  gaze, 
And  while  his  glorious  voice  we  hear, 
Our  spirits  are,  till  eye,  all  ear. 

And  silence  speaks  his  praise. 

,"  Oh !  might  I  die,  that  awe  to  prove, 
That  bliss  of  pure  extatic  love 

Before  the  great  three  onk  I 
To  dwell  in  his  eternal  joy, 
To  find  an  ever  sweet  employ 
t  In  songs  around  the  throne. " 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

"St.  Paul's  doctrine  on  justification  by  faith. 

The  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith,  through  the 
righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ,  is  the  grand  character- 
istic of  the  Gospel,  which  distinguishes  it  from  all  hu- 
man schemes  of  salvation.  It  is  the  revelation  and 
Avork  of  God  himself.  Its  deisign  is,  to  humble  the 
sinner,  to  exalt  the  Saviour,  and  to  promote  holiness. 

This  doctrine  is  founded  on  the  Fall  of  Man,  and 
on  the  Justice  of  God  ;  for  while  God  demands  a  sin- 
less obedience  to  his  holy  Law,  man  is  utterly  imable 
to  satisfy  the  least  of  its  righteous  Claims. 

Through  the  Fall,  we  lost  the  image  of  God,  and 
all  power  to  serve  him  aright.  Being  destitute  of 
every  holy  principle,  and  enslaved  by  every  evil  pas- 
sion, we  can  neither  atone  for  past  transgressions,  nor 
perform  one  att  of  acceptable  obedience. 

Foreseeing  our  wretched  state,  through  original  and 
actuail  sin  ;  a  God  of  love  has  provided  a  Ransom, — a 
Righteousness, — and  a  Refuge  for  us. 

St.  Paul  was  honoured  of  God  to  proclaim  these 
heavenly  truths  : — "  There  is  one  Mediator  between 
God  and  man,  the  man  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  himself 
a  Ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due  time.  Of  Hira 
are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is  made  unto  us 
20 


230  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Righteousness.  We  have  strong  consolation,  who  have 
fled  for  Refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set  before 
us."  O  that  our  hearts  could  expand  with  faith  and 
hope ;  then,  with  the  Apostle  we  should  delight  to 
dwell  upon  this  exhaustless  theme,  and  with  feelings 
of  the  liveliest  joy,  should  thank  our  God  for  his  un- 
speakable GIFT. 

Being  taught  by  the  Spirit  to  know  himself  as  a 
sinner,  this  enlightened  Apostle  had  learned  to  value 
Christ  as  a  Saviour.  Wholly  weaned  from  self,  his 
heart  was  fixed  upon  Christ,  the  true  foundation.  With 
uncompromising  firmness  he  could  therefore  assert, 
"  A  man  is  not  justified  by  the  works  of  the  law,  but 
by  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ :  even  we  have  believed 
in  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  might  be  justified  by  the  faith 
of  Christ,  and  not  by  the  works  of  the  law,  for  by  the 
works  of  the  law  shall  no  flesh  be  justified." 

This  glorious  truth  of  the  Gospel,  so  opposed  to  all 
his  ancient  views  and  feelings,  he  saw  with  a  distinct- 
ness which  no  carnal  reasoning  could  obscure.  Be- 
holding, by  the  light  of  Revelation,  the  wide  extent  of 
Adam's  transgression,  he  could  unite  with  David  in 
declaring,  "  There  is  none  righteous,  no  not  one ; 
there  is  none  that  understandeth,  there  is  none  that 
seeketh  after  God ;  they  are  all  gone  out  of  the  way, 
they  are  together  become  unprofitable ;  there  is  none 
that  doeth  good — no  not  one."  Hence  the  Apostle 
was  led  to  this  humbling  confession  ;  "  The  law  hath 
concluded  all  under  sin,  that  every  mouth  may  be 
stopped,  and  all  the  world  become  guilty  before  God." 

Hearing  the  voice  of  justice  in  all  its  awfulness, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  231 

with  Job  he  abhorred  himself  in  dust  and  ashes. — 
Hearing  the  voice  of  mercy  speaking  peace  through 
the  blood  of  Jesus,  with  Mary  he  rejoiced  in  God  his 
Saviour. 

Full  of  grateful  love,  he  went  forth  into  all  lands, 
to  make  known  these  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ : 
— that  Jesus  is  the  end  of  the  Law  for  righteousness 
to  every  one  that  believeth  ; — that  Christ  hath  redeem- 
ed us  from  the  curse  of  the  Law,  being  made  a  curse 
for  us : — that  all  who  believe,  are  justified  from  all 
things,  from  which  they  could  not  be  justified,  by  the 
Law  of  Moses ; — that,  "  the  righteousness  of  God, 
which  is  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  is  unto  all,  and  up- 
on all  them  that  believe,  for  there  is  no  difference  ;" 
for  the  Scripture  saith,  "  Whosoever  believeth  on  him 
shall  not  be  ashamed ; — that,  there  is  no  difference 
between  the  Jew  and  the  Greek,  for  the  same  Lord 
over  all  is  rich  unto  all  that  call  upon  him ;  for  who- 
soever shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  shall  be 
saved." 

Knowing  these  statements  to  be  the  Truth  of  God, 
and  knowing  also  the  legality  of  the  natural  heart  and 
its  enmity  to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  he  boldly  asks 
the  self-righteous  opposer ;  "  Do  we  then  make  void 
the  Law  through  faith  ?"  Do  we  lessen  the  sanctions, 
or  lower  the  standard  of  a  Law  so  holy  in  its  nature, 
so  just  in  its  requirements,  so  good  in  its  tendencies  ? 
"  God  forbid, — yea,  we  establish  the  law ;" — we  main- 
tain its  unalterable  holiness,  its  inflexible  justice,  its 
irreconcileableness  to  the  smallest  transgression. 

Through  the  light  of  the  Holy  Spirit^  he  saw  with 


232;  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

an  inspired  clearness  of  perception,  that  no  sinner- 
can  be  saved  by  any  obedience  of  his  own ;  since, 
*^all  our  righteousnesses  are  as  filthy  rags,"  unable  to 
screen  us  from  the  wrath  of  God,  who  hath  declared, 
"the  soul  that  sinnethit  shall  die."  He  therefore  fled 
to  Christ  for  refuge  ;  found  shelter  under  the  covering 
of  his  perfect  righteousness,  and  rejoiced  in  hope  of 
the  glory  of  God. 

This  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Gospel,  so  des- 
tructive to  pride  and  self-sufficiencyj  this  divinely- 
taught  Apostle  found  to  be  the  very  source  of  conso- 
lation, strength,  and  hope. 

Having  given  the  church  at  Philippi  a  catalogue  of 
those  things  which  once  constituted  his  Pharisaical 
treasure,  he  makes  the  noble  declaration ;  "  What 
things  were  gain  to  me,  these  I  counted  loss  for 
Christ.  Yea,  doubtless,  and  I  count  all  things  but 
loss,  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ 
Jesus  my  Lord  ;  for  whom  I  have  snffered  the  loss  of" 
all  things,  and  do  count  them  but  dung,  that  I  may  win 
Christ,  and  be  found  in  him,  not  having  mine  own 
righteousness  which  is  of  the.  law,  but  that  which  is 
through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  righteousness  which 
is  of  God  by  faith  ;  that  I  may  know  him,  and  the 
power  of  his  resurrection,  and  the  fellowship  of  his 
sufferings,  being  made  conformable  unto  his  death,  if 
by  any  means  I  might  attain  unto  the  resurrection  of  ^ 
the  dead." 

Then,  with  his  usual  humility  and  self-abasement^ 
he  acknowledges  his  need  of  still  increasing  supplies, 
of  spiritual  blessings  ;  "Not  as  though  I  had; already 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  233 

attained,  either  were  already  perfect ;  but  I  follow- 
after,  if  that  I  may  apprehend  that  for  which  also  I  am 
apprehended  of  Christ  Jesus.  Brethren,  I  count  not 
myself  to  have  apprehended ;  but  this  one  thing  I  do, 
forgetting  those  things  which  are  behind,  and  reaching 
forth  unto  those  things  which  are  before,  I  press  to- 
ward the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God 
in  Christ  Jesus." 

If  the  Apostle,  than  whom  perhaps  no  saint  was 
ever  more  holy,  thus  confessed  his  short  comings ;  if 
he  regarded  his  attainments  as  nothing,  when  com- 
pared with  what  remained  to  be  attained ;  if  all  his 
hopes  of  heaven  were  reposed  upon  the  finished  work 
of  his  beloved  Saviour ;  how  humble,  how  dependent 
ought  we  to  be,  who  stand  at  so  great  a  distance  from 
the  honoured  servant  of  Christ ! 

Yet  how  encouraging  is  the  view  of  his  character 
and  experience.  He,  who  converted  Saul  of  Tarsus, 
can  now  change  the  heart  of  the  hardest  sinner.  Let 
none  then  despair  of  mercy,  who  feel  a  longing  desire 
after  salvation. 

"Let not  conscience  make  you  linger 

Nor  of  fitness  fondly  dream ; 
All  the  fitness  herequireth 

Is  to  feel  your  need  of  him ; 
This  he  gives  you ;  'Tis  the  Spirit's  rising  beam." 

The  offence  of  the  cross  has  not  yet  ceased,  nor 
ever  will,  so  long  as  pride  bears  its  sway  in  our  hearts. 
We  cannot  part  with  the  fond  conceit  which  we  natur- 
ally have  of  our  own  works.  If  Christ  must  be  our 
i^stifier,  we  hope,  at  least,  to  have  some  share  in  the 
20* 


234  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

meritoripus  act  of  justifying.     We  canTiot  brook  the 
thought  of  being  wholly  indebted  to  another. 

Owing  to  this  proud  attachment  to  our  supposedt' 
goodness,  much  error  exits  in  the  Christian  world. 
The  great  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  only,  cannot, 
therefore,  be  too  clearly  and  scripturally  stated.  How 
many,  even  in  this  our  day,  darken  counsel  by  words 
without  knowledge.  They  are  blind  guides,  groping, 
^s  in  the  dark,  amid  the  full  blaze  of  Gospel  light. 
With  all  humility  of  mind,  and  earnest  prayer,  we 
should  seek  for  light  to  discover  the  Truth,  and  for  a 
h.eart  tp  embrace  it  when  discovered. 

Let  us  then  consider  in  what  way  a  sinner  is  justi- 
fied in  the  sight  of  God,  that  we  may  rightly  appre- 
hend and  thankfully  embrace,  through  the  Spirit,  this 
iiiestiniable  blessing. 

1.  We  are  justified  meritoriously,  through  the  righ- 
teousness of  Jesus  Christ,  who  became  obedient  unto 
the  Law  for  man ;  and  who,  while  we  were  yet  sinners, 
died  for  us,  that  being  justified  by  his  blood,  we  might 
be  saved  from  wrath  through  him. 

2.  We  are  justified  instrument  ally,  by  faith  only, 
which  is  the  gift  of  God,  the  hand  that  receives  the 
blessed  Jesus,  and  puts  him  on  with  all  his  saving 
merits,  as  the  robe  of  rightepusness,  the  garment  pf 
salvatipn. 

3.  We  are  justified  declaratively  by  good  works, 
which  are  the  fruits  of  faith,  and  evidence  our  union  to 
Jesus  Christ  as  living  branches  in  the  true  vine. 

Every  blessing  flpws   frpm   the  thrpne  pf  mercy, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  235 

through  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  only  medium  of  com- 
munication between  earth  and  heaven  ;  whilie  all  our 
services  ascend  with  acceptance,  only  as  they  are  co- 
vered with  his  infinite  merits,  and  washed  from  theii* 
pollution  through  his  precious  blood. 

Jesus  is  the  Lord  our  Righteousness  :  he  is 
made  unto  us  righteousness  ;  and  we  are  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him.  Hence  God  can  be  just, 
and  yet  the  justifier  of  all  who  believe  in  Jesus.  The 
way  of  access  is  now  opened.  In  Christ,  we  have 
boldness  and"  access  with  confidence,  to  the  Father  of 
mercies  ;  and  obtain,  through  faith  in  his  blood,  a  right 
and  title  to  the  purchased  possession,  unto  the  praise 
of  his  glory.  Thus  we  are  madfe  complete  in  Him, 
and  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  opened  to  all  believers. 

It  must,  however,  never  be  forgotten,  that  there  is 
nothing  meritorious  in  faith.  It  is  a  grace,  wrought  in 
the  heart  of  the  sinner,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  whereby  he  apprehends  Christ,  and  is  made  an 
heir  of  God,  through  Him. 

We  have  nothing  whereof  to  glory,  being  "justified 
freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus."  The  language  of  our  heart  must 
ever  be, — "  Not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  to 
thy  name  give  glory,  for  thy  mercy,  and  for  thy  truth's 
sake." 

As  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  the  root  oi  holiness, 
so  works  which  do  not  spring  from  faith,  cannot  be 
acceptable  to  God  ;  because,  without  faith  it  is  impos- 
sible to  please  him. 

By  nature,  our  hearts  yield  nothing  but  evil  fruit,. 


236  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

and  this  evil  produce  continues,  till  we  are  united  to 
Christ  by  faith.  When  grafted  by  the  Spirit,  into  Je- 
sus the  living  vine,  we  receive  a  new  nature,  and 
bring  forth  new  fruit,  in  all  goodness,  righteousness, 
and  truth. 

This  good  fruit  manifests  itself  by  holy  obedience 
to  the  will  of  God  ;  it  is  declarative  of  our  interest  in 
the  righteousness  of  Christ  through  faith,  and  prepares 
us  for  the  enjoyment  of  heaven. 

From  this  scriptural  view  of  a  sinner's  acceptance 
with  God,  it  is  evident,  that  we  cannot  be  justified 
without  faith ;  and  yet,  we  must  not  look  to  it,  as  that 
which  justifies  us.  Our  eye  must  be  fixed  on  the 
righteousness  of  Christ  only.  When  our  acts  of  faith 
are  the  strongest,  we  must  not  rely  upon  them,  as 
yielding  any  merit,  or  as  recommending  us  to  God. 
Our  language  must  then  be  ;  I  have  believed  in  Christ, 
and  God  has  justified  me  ;  but  I  will  not  believe,  that 
God  has  pardoned  me  for  my  faith ;  I  know  that  I 
must  trust  in  Christ,  if  I  am  accepted  of  my  Judge : 
therefore  I  will  banish  for  ever,  all  thoughts  of  my 
being  pleasing  to  God,  for  the  sake  of  my  act  of  be- 
lieving. 

Whoever  steers  this  course  will  provide  for  his  pre- 
sent comfort,  and  future  safety;  for  it  is  only  men's < 
ignorance  of  themselves,  of  the  Law,  and  of  the  es- 
sential righteousness  of  God,  that  puts  them  upon 
trusting  in  any  thing  they  can  do  for  their  justification 
before  God,  and  hinders  them  from  submitting  to  the 
righteousness  ofx  Christ. 

Eaith.resigjis  up  the  soul  to  the  mercies  of  God,.andA 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  237 

the  infinite  merits  of  Christ,  and  has-  no  confidence  in 
the  flesh  :  it  brings  the  sinner  to  look  on  all  things,  as 
nothing,  and  not  fit  to  be  joined  to  Christ,  who  is  the 
only  foundation  for  his  reliance  :  and  then  his  care  is,, 
how  to  be  found  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  to 
place  the  crown  of  glory  on  the  head  of  his  Re- 
deemer. 

This  was  the  experience  of  St.  Paul,  who  counted 
all  things  but  loss  for  Christ,  desiring  only  that  he 
might  be  found  in  Him. 

If  the  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  were  there- 
fore rightly  apprehended,  as  set  forth  by  the  great 
Apostle  under  the  immediate  inspiration  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  it  would  prevent  that  unscriptural.  mixture  of 
faith  and  works,  as  the  ground  of  our  acceptance  with 
God,  which  destroys  its  nature,  tarnishes  its  glory, 
and  endangers  our  salvation. 

^  "  O  how  unlike  the  complex  works  of  man, 
Heav'n's  easy,  artless,  unencumber'd  plan 
fts.stand  like  the  cerulean  arch  we  see, 
Majestic  in  its  own  simplicity. 
Inscrib'd  above  the  portal  from  afar 
Conspicuous  as  the  brightness  of  a  star, 
Legible  only  by  the  light  they  give, 
Stand  the  soul-quick'ning  words— believe  and  livk. 
Too  many  shpck'd.at  whaf  should  charm  theip  most, 
Despise  the  plain  direction  and  are  lost." 

Although  St.  Paul  was  the  champion,  for  this  glori-. 
ous  doctrine  of  justification  through  faith,  yet  with 
equal  ardour  he  enforced  the  necessity  of  holiness  on. 
the  hearts  and  consciences  of  believers. 

As  those  who  preach  the  Gospel  with  faithfulness, 
i?h(>iild  exemplify  its  excellency  by  their  superior  sanc-t 


ii38  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

tity,  the  apostle  exhorted  Titus  to  the  practice  of  uni- 
versal holiness  ; — "  Speak  thou  the  things  which  be- 
come sound  doctrine  ;  in  all  things  showing  thyself  a 
pattern  of  good  works." 

Equally  comprehensive  was  his  charge  to  this  young 
minister  of  the  Gospel,  whom  he  called  his  son  after 
the  common  faith ; — "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and 
these  things  I  will  that  thou  affirm  constantly,  that 
they  which  have  believed  in  God,  might  be  careful  to 
maintain  good  works.  These  things  are  good  and 
profitable  unto  men."  "  Put  them  in  mind  to  be  ready 
to  every  good  work." 

This  faithful  pastor  over  the  Lord's  flock  closed  his 
Epistle  with  a  general  admonition  both  to  ministers 
and  people,  who  professed  an  attachment  to  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ ; — "  Let  ours  also  learn  to  maintain  good 
works  for  necessary  uses,  that  they  be  not  unfruitful." 

So  decided  were  his  views  respecting  the  nature 
and  necessity  of  sanctification,  that,  in  perfect  accord- 
ance with  the  doctrine  of  grace,  he  declared  ; — "  In 
Jesus  Christ,  neither  circumcision  availeth  any  thing 
nor  uncircumcision,  but  faith  which  worketh  by  love. 
Circumcision  is  nothing  and  uncircumcision  is  nothing,, 
but  the  keeping  of  the  commandments  of  God."  "  For 
the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared 
to  all  men,  teaching  us,  that,  denying  ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously,  and 
godly,  in  this  present  world  ;  looking  for  that  blessed 
hope,  and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  gi-eat  God  and 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  who  gave  himself  for  us, 
that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  239 

unto  himself  a    peculiar    people,   zealous  of    good 
works." 

With  these  earnest  desires  for  the  fruitfulness  of 
believers  he  prayed  in  behalf  of  the  Hebrew  converts  : 
"  The  God  of  peace  make  you  perfect  in  every  good 
work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that  which  is 
well-pleasing  in  his  sight," 

Some  persons,  who  are  opposed  to  the  doctrine  of  free 
justification,  endeavour  to  set  St.  James  in  array  against 
his  brother  Apostle,  as  if  he  were  anxious  to  counter- 
act his  statements,  and  to  disprove  his  conclusions. 

If  they  will  study  the  Epistles  of  St.  Paul  and  St, 
James,  with  simplicity  and  prayer,  they  will  soon  find 
that  there  is  neither  antinomianism  in  the  one,  nor  any 
ground  for  legality  in  the  other  : — ^but  that  the  Apos- 
tles are  in  perfect  agreement  with  each  other.  Like 
the  radii  of  a  circle,  they  meet  in  one  common  centre. 
They  both  select  the  case  of  Abraham.  St.  Paul  says; 
— "  Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was  counted  unto 
him  for  righteousness."  St.  James  says  ; — "  Abraham 
believed  God,  and  it  was  imputed  unto  him  for  righ- 
teousness :"  each  quoting  the  words  of  Moses,  "  He 
believed  God,  and  he  counted  it  to  him  for  righteous- 
ness." 

Thus  they  conjointly  build  on  the  same  foundation, 
viz:  that  Abraham  vidiS justified  hy  faith.  Where  then 
is  the  difference  of  their  statements  ?  It  arises  from 
the  abuse  which  was  made  of  this  divine  truth. 

St.  Paul  declared,  that  all  works,  whether  ceremo- 
nial or  moral,  are  excluded  from  the  oflice  of  justifying 
the  sinaer  in  the  sight  of  God :  that  we  are  justified 


240  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

freely  by  his  grace,  as  the  source^  and  by  the  blood  of 
Christ,  as  the  meritoriously  procuring  cause. 

But  this  blessed  doctrine,  so  full  of  comfort  to  the 
broken-hearted  penitent,  was  soon  perverted  by  men 
of  corrupt  minds,  destitute  of  the  truth.  They  slan- 
derously affirmed,  that  St.  Paul  had  said ; — "  Let  us 
do  evil  that  good  may  come:" — and  hence,  they  took 
occasion  to  sin,  on  the  impious  principle  that  grace 
might  abound. 

St.  Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  expresses 
his  abhorrence  of  such  vil«  inferences,  drawn  from 
his  preaching ;  and  strenuously  enforces  the  necessity 
of  good  works. 

St.  James,  with  equal  force,  levels  his  Epistle,  not 
against  the  holy  doctrine  preached  by  St.  Paul^  but 
against  those  abusers  of  divine  grace,  who,  under 
pretence  of  exalting  Christy  only  wanted  a  licence  to 
sin. — So  early  did  Satan  labour  to  bring  an  odium  up- 
on the  Gospel,  by  the  unholy  lives  of  hypocritical  pro- 
fessors. To  counteract  this  evil,  St.  James  declares, 
that  the  faith  which  justifies  is  a  working  faith ; — That 
as  kind  words,  and  good  wishes  will  not  feed  a  starving 
brother,  while  unaccompanied  with  the  needful  sup- 
ply ;  so  neither  will  faith  profit  us,  if  it  hath  not  works ; 
for  as  the  body,  without  the  spirit  is  dead,  so  faith 
without  works  is  dead  also ;  that  by  works,  faith  is 
made  perfect :  and  therefore,  that  such  a  barren  faith, 
as  these  corruptors  of  the  truth  propagated,  could  nev- 
er save  the  soul :  since  by  works  a  man  is  justified,  or 
declared  to  be  in  a  state  of  justification,  and  not  by 
faith  only,  that  is,  a  faith  unproductive  of  good  works. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  241 

"*'  The  sum  of  tlie  matter  then  is  this  ;  What  God 
has  joined,  none  must  divide  :  and  what  God  has  di- 
vided, none  must  join.  He  hath  separated  faith  and 
works  in  the  business  of  justification,  according  to 
St.  Paul,  and  none  must  join  them  in  it.  He  has 
joined  them  in  the  lives  of  justified  persons,  as  St. 
James  speaks,  and  there  we  must  not  separate  them. 
St.  Paul  assures  us,  that  works  have  not  a  co-efficien- 
cy in  justification  itself:  but  St.  James  assures  us,  that 
they  may  and  must  have  a  co-existency  in  them  thai 
are  justified." 

It  is  evident,  therefore,  from  the  scriptures  of  Truth, 
that  neither  faith  nor  works  can  procure  our  admission 
into  the  heavenly  temple.  Christ,  as  our  Great  High 
Priest,  can  alone  enter  by  his  own  blood  into  the  Holy 
Place.  In  heaven  he  sits  as  a  priest  upon  his  throne, 
and  there,  appearing  in  the  presence  of  God  for  us, 
his  living  care  will  perfect,  what  his  dying  love  began. 
Through  him  then  we  must  approach  the  mercy-seat ; 
by  him  we  must  enter  into  the  celestial  city.  0  !  how 
precious  is  our  Almighty  Saviour.  To  him  we  must 
look — on  him  we  must  depend — from  him  we  must 
draw  every  needful  blessing.  His  name  is  as  ointment 
poured  forth.  He  is  the  balm  of  Gilead  and  physi- 
cian there. 

0  that  our  hearts  may  ever  be  in  tune,  to  sing  the 
praises  of  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  and  hath  redeem- 
ed us  unto  God  by  his  blood,  till  we  join  the  univer- 
sal chorus  in  the  world  above,  and  crown  him  Lord 
of  all ! 

21 


CHAPTER    XV. 

ON  JUSTIFICATION CONTINUED. 

The  doctrine  of  free  justification,  through  faith  in  the 
blood  of  Jesus,  was  the  Gospel  Axe  which  Luther  ap- 
plied with  powerful  arm  to  the  root  of  human  merit, 
whose  fibres  had  struck  deeply  into  the  Papal  soil. 

"When  I  consider,"  said  this  champion  for  the 
Truth,  "the  infinite  profanation  which  always  hath 
raged  in  the  Church  of  God,  against  this  only  and 
well-grounded  rock,  which  we  hold  to  be  the  article  of 
our  justification,  (that  is  to  say,  how  not  by  ourselves, 
neither  by  our  works,  which  are  less  than  ourselves, 
but  by  another  help,  even  the  Son  of  God,  Jesus 
Christ,  we  are  redeemed  from  sin,  death,  and  the  devil, 
and  are  made  partakers  of  eternal  life,)  I  am  compell- 
ed boldly  to  speak  upon  it."  And  he  did  speak  with 
a  voice  of  thunder.  Through  the  power  of  Truth,  he 
made  the  Papal  chair  to  tremble.  By  the  light  of 
Truth,  he  exposed  the  hidden  abominations  of  the  Man 
OF  Sin. 

Yet,  while  he  declared,  that  the  doctrine  of  justifi- 
cation by  faith  without  works,  is  the  only  solid  rock, 
the  true  test  of  a  standing,  or  of  a  falling  church ;  like 
St.  Paul  he  was  equally  anxious  for  the  interests  of 
holiness. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  24^ 

He  knew  the  blindness  of  the  natural  heart,  and  its 
enmity  to  the  truth.  He  knew  also  the  darkness 
which  remains  in  the  minds  of  the  regenerate,  even 
after  they  have  been  enlightened  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Hence,  he  foresaw  that  diversity  of  sentiment  and 
statement  which  would  arise  in  the  Church,  according 
to  the  degrees  of  light  or  darkness  which  each  of  its 
members  might  possess.  Under  this  conviction,  he 
honestly  confessed  that,  *'  to  teach  this  doctrine,  and 
at  the  same  time,  to  insist  on  the  necessity  of  good 
works,  is  a  matter  of  considerable  difficulty  and  dan- 
ger. For  unless  the  ministers  of  Christ  be  wise  and 
faithful  dispensers  of  the  divine  mysteries,  and  know 
how  to  divide  the  Word  of  Truth  rightly,  the  distinct 
provinces  of  faith  and  works  will  be  confounded. 

"  Both  these  provinces  should  be  explained,  and  im- 
pressed on  the  mind  with  the  greatest  diligence,  yet  ia 
such  a  manner,  that  each  of  them  may  preserve  its 
proper  bounds  : — Otherwise,  if  works  only  are  taught, 
as  is  the  case  in  the  Pope's  kingdom,  faith  is  lost. 
Again,  if  nothing  but  faith  is  inculcated,  carnal  men 
soon  begin  to  dream,  that  there  is  no  need  of  good 
works." 

Well  acquainted  with  the  corruption  of  the  heart, 
Luther  thus  guards  the  Church  against  the  abuse  of 
this  vital  doctrine :  *'  There  is  danger  on  both  sides. 
If  the  doctrine  of  grace  or  faith  be  not  preached,  no 
man  can  be  saved ;  for  it  is  faith  alone  that  justifies 
and  saves.  On  the  contrary,  if  faith  be  preached,  as 
of  necessity  it  must  be,  the  greater  part  of  mankind 
will  interpret  the  doctrine  in  a  carnal  way,  and  so  un- 


644  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

derstand  spiritual  liberty  as  to  allow  indulgences  of 
the  flesh.  This  we  may  see  in  all  ranks  of  life,  high 
as  well  as  low.  Many  make  profession  of  the  Gospel, 
and  boast  of  Christian  liberty,  and  yet,  serving  their 
own  lusts  and  inclinations,  they  give  way  to  covetous- 
ness,  pleasure,  pride,  envy,  and  such  other  vices,  and 
none  of  them  doeth  his  duty  faithfully.  It  is  impos- 
sible that  persons  of  this  description  should  prove  to 
be  governed  by  the  Gospel  of  peace." 

The  Church  of  England,  in  unison  with  the  other 
Reformed  Churches,  firmly  holds  this  important  branch 
of  the  Christian  faith.  In  her  eleventh  Article  she 
declares : — 

"  We  are  accounted  righteous  before  God,  only  for 
the  merit  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  by 
faith,  and  not  for  our  own  works  or  deservings. 
Wherefore,  that  we  are  justified  by  faith  only,  is  a 
most  wholesome  doctrine,  and  very  full  of  comfort,  as 
more  largely  is  expressed  in  the  Homily  of  Justifica- 
tion." 

The  clear  and  scriptural  language  of  the  Homily 
referred  to,  is  as  follows  : — 

"The  Apostle  toucheth  specially  three  things,, 
which  must  go  together  in  our  justification.  Upon 
God's  part,  his  great  mercy  and  grace  :  upon  Christ's 
part,  justice,  that  is,  the  satisfaction  of  God's  justice, 
or  the  price  of  our  redemption  by  the  offering  of  his 
body,  and  shedding  of  his  blood,  with  fulfilling  of  the 
\^w  perfectly  and  thoroughly ;  and  upon  our  part,  true- 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  245 

and  lively  faith  in  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  which 
yet  is  not  ours,  but  God's  working  in  us. 

"  The  grace  of  God  doth  not  shut  out  the  justice  of 
God  in  our  justification,  but  only  shutteth  out  the  jus- 
tice of  man,  that  is  to  say,  the  justice  of  our  works,  as 
to  be  merits  of  deserving  our  justification.  And,  there- 
fore, St.  Paul  declareth  h«re  nothing  upon  the  behalf 
of  man,  concerning  his  justification,  but  only  a  true 
and  lively  faith,  which,  nevertheless,  is  the  gift  of  God, 
and  not  man's  only  work  without  God.  And  yet,  that 
faith  doth  not  shut  out  repentance,  hope,  love,  dread, 
and  the  fear  of  God,  to  be  joined  with  faith  in  every 
man  that  is  justified,,  but  it  shutteth  them  out  of  the 
office  of  justifying.  So  that,  although  they  be  all  pres- 
ent together  in  him  that  is  justified,  yet  they  justify  not 
altogether ;  neither  doth  faith  shut  out  the  justice  of 
aur  good  works,  necessarily  to  be  done  afterwards  of 
duty  towards  God,  (for  we  are  most  bounden  to  serve 
God  in  doing  good  deeds  commanded  by  him  in  his 
Holy  Scripture  all  the  days  of  our  life,)  but  it  exclud- 
eth  them  so^  that  we  may  not  do- them  to  this  intent,  to 
be  made  just  by  doing  them^"* 

What  language  can  more  fully  and  explicitly  convey 
to  our  minds  this  fundamental  truth  of  the  Gospel  ? 
May  the  Eternal  Spirit  impart  unto  every  reader  of 
these  humble  pages,  if  he  has  it  not,  this  blessed  gift 
of  faith,  and  abundantly  increase  it,  where  it  has  been 
graciously  bestowed. 

Hooker  breathes  the    same  apostolic  language  : — 
"  Christ  hath  merited  righteousness  for  as  many  as  are 
found  in  him.     In  him,  God  findeth  us,  if  we  be  faith- 
21* 


246  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ful,  for  by  faith  we  are  incorporated  into  Christ.  Then, 
although  in  ourselves  we  be  altogether  sinful,  yet  even 
the  man  that  is  impious  in  himself,  full  of  iniquity,  full 
of  sin,  being  found  in  Christ  through  faith,  and  having 
his  sin  remitted  through  repentance,  him  God  behold- 
eth  with  a  gracious  eye,  putteth  away  his  sin,  by  not 
imputing  it,  taketh  quite  away  the  punishment  due 
thereunto  by  pardoning  it,  and  accepteth  him  in  Jesus 
Christ  as  perfectly  righteous,,  as  if  he  had  fulfilled  all 
that  was  commanded  him  in  the  Law.  Faith  is  the 
only  hand  which  putteth  on  Christ  unto  justification, 
and  Christ  the  only  garment  which,  being  so  put  on, 
covereth  the  shame  of  our  defiled  natures,  hideth  the 
imperfection  of  our  works,  preserveth  us  blameless  in 
the  sight  of  God,  before  whom  otherwise  the  weak- 
ness of  our  faith  were  cause  sufficient  to  make  us  cul- 
pable, yea,  to  shut  us  from  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
where  nothing  that  is  not  absolute  can  enter." 

Such  were  the  views  which  Luther,  the  Fathers  of 
the  English  Church,  and  Hooker  entertained,  in  per- 
fect accordance  with  the  great  Apostle,  respecting  the 
all-important  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith.  "  The 
Devil  directs  his  fiercest  batteries  against  those  doc- 
trines in  the  Word,  and  those  graces  in  the  heart, 
which  most  exalt  God,  debase  man,  and  bring  men  to 
the  lowest  subjection  to  their  Creator.  Such  is  the 
doctrine  of  justifying  faith."  May  this  jewel  of  the 
Reformation  never  be  covered  with  the  worthless  paint 
of  human  ijivention,  but  ever  shine  in  all  ourchurches. 
with,  its  native  lustre.. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  247 

Christ  is  the  enxicher  of  the  believing  soul.  He  is 
the  pearl  of  great  price.  It  is  not  the  hand  which  re- 
ceives an  offered  treasure  that  makes  the  receiver  rich, 
but  the  treasure  itself.  So  neither  do  works,  nor  any 
act  of  faith  justify  us,  but  Christ  Himself,  whom  we 
apprehend.  And  this  faith,  be  it  weak  or  strong,  is 
yet  able  to  receive  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  just  as 
a  palsied  hand  may  receive  a  jewel  from  a  king,  as 
truly,  though  not  so  firmly,  as  the  hand  which  is  sound. 
Being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God,  and 
receive  a  new  and  divine  life  in  our  souls. 

Peace  of  conscience,  tranquillity  of  mind,  strength 
to  resist  sin,  delight  in  holiness,  and  the  hope  of  glory, 
are  some  of  the  precious  fruits  of  faith.  Love  ac- 
companies faith,  as  the  light  does  the  sun,  and  faith 
working  by  love  evidences  our  adoption  into  the  family 
of  God,  and  proves  that  we  are  truly  born  from  above. 
Do  we  live  in  the  daily  enjoyment  of  this  blessedness  ? 
Are  we  sealed  by  the  Spirit  of  God  unto  the  day  of 
eternal,  redemption  ? 

"  The  kingdom  of  grace,"  as  an  old  writer  beauti- 
fully observes,  "  is  the  suburbs  of  the  kingdom  of 
glory  ;  he  therefore  who  walks  not  through  the  suburbs 
shall  never  enter  into  the  holy  city.  A  man  must  be 
in  the  kingdom  of  grace,  or  else  he  shall  never  be  ad- 
mitted into  the  kingdom  of  glory.  No  grace,  no  glory. 
No  holiness,  no  happiness.  No  regeneration,  no  hea- 
ven, nor  heavenly  honour.  For,  except  a  man  be  born 
again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God,  neither  in 
this  world,  nor  in  the  world  to  come. 

"  It  is  then  an  infallible  sign  of  holiness,  when  a 


248  CHRI6TMN    EXPERI'ENGE. 

man  doth  more  and  more  strive  against  his  own  unbe- 
lief, and  labours  continually  to  draw  nearer  and  nearer 
unto  God  by  holiness. 

"  To  feel  our  inward  corruptions,  to  desire  a  de- 
liverance from  them,  to  avoid  occasions  of  sin,  to  be 
angry  with  ourselves  for  our  sinning,  is  an  evidence 
that  the  Spirit  of  God  hath  taken  possession  of  our 
hearts,  and  hath  begun  to  work  a  most  happy  change 
within  us. 

"  Where  these  graces  are,  there  is  also  the  God  of 
grace,  the  spirit  of  grace,  a  man  of  grace,  a  true  dying 
unto  sin,  and  a  living  unto  God.  Sin  is  dismounted, 
the  soul  is  renewed,  for  God's  image  is  restored." 

Thus  all  who  are  justified  are  sanctified  and  shall 
be  finally  glorified.  The  renewal  of  our  nature  is  so 
essential  to  happiness,  and  so  indispensably  requisite 
as  a  preparation  for  heaven,  that  without  it  we  cannot 
be  saved. 

The  pure  in  heart  only  shall  see  God :  they  shall 
see  his  face  ;  they  shall  dwell  in  his  presence  ;  and 
reign  with  him  for  ever  and  ever. 

How  bright  is  the  glory  which  encircles  the  cross 
of  Christ. — There,  all  the  divine  perfections  meet  and 
harmonize. — There^  the  robe  of  righteousness  is  im- 
parted to  every  believing  sinner. 

With  the  fullest  assurance  of  hope,  the  blessed 
Apostle  felt  his  personal  interest  in  this  righteousness 
of  the  Redeemer ;  and  could  say  with  unwavering 
confidence  ;  "  I  am  crucified  with.  Christ,  nevertheless 
I  live,  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me,  and  the  life 
which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  24^ 

Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for 
Hie." 

Happy  Paul !  who  in  the  midst  of  all  his  sufferings 
could  thus  realize  his  union  to  Christ  by  faith. 

Are  we,  like  him,  crucified  with  Christ,  and  become 
dead  to  sin  and  to  the  world  1  Does  Christ  live  in  us 
by  his  Spirit?  Are  we  daily  living  a  life  of  faith  in 
the  Son  of  God  ?  Can  we,  with  sweet  assurance  say, 
"  Who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me  V 

This  believing  appropriation  of  the  Saviour^s  merits, 
is  the  spring  of  comfort, — the  root  of  holiness. 

This  blessedness  St.  Paul  experienced,  when  Jesus 
revealed  himself  in  all  the  fulness  of  his  grace.  Un- 
der every  varying  scene  of  life  iiye  also  shall  partake 
of  this  felicity,  if  with  him  we  can  say,  "  The  love  of 
Christ  constraineth  us,  because  we  thus  judge,  that  if 
one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead,  and  that  he  died 
for  all,  that  they  which  live,  should  not  henceforth 
live  unto  themselves,  but  unto  him  which  died  for 
them  and  rose  again." 

O  how  peaceful  and  fruitful  is  the  believer,  when 
daily  living  under  the  influence  of  the  constraining 
love  of  Christ. 

It  is  the  love  of  Christ,  felt  and  enjoyed,  which 
softens  the  roughness  of  life,  and  smooths  the  rugged- 
ness  of  the  way  to  glory.  Sin  produces  thorns  which 
pierce  the  heart  with  many  sorrows,  but  Jesus,  by  re- 
moving the  evil,  fills  the  soul  with  gladness.  'When 
he  giveth  quietness,  who  then  can  make  trouble  ?  As 
the  heart  knoweth  its  own  bitterness,  so  a  stranger 
4oth  not  intermeddle  Mrith  its  joy. 


250  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

How  humbling  is  the  language,  how  self-abasing 
are  the  feelings  of  the  believing  sinner,  when  contem- 
plating these  wonders  of  redeeming  love. 

Methinks  1  hear  such  an  one  thus  pouring  out  hia 
heart  in  secret : — 

I  am  indeed  a  guilty,  corrupt,  and  ruined  creature^ 
unable  to  appease  a  justly  offended  God,  or  make  the 
least  atonement  for  my  violations  of  his  law.  I  am  in 
myself  helpless  and  hopeless.  Ah !  whither  then 
shall  I  turn  my  eyes  for  succour  ? 

Can  any  of  my  fellow-mortals  deliver  me  out  of  the 
wretched  condition  into  which  I  am  plunged,  through 
original  and  actual  transgression  ?  They  are  all  gone 
out  of  the  way  ;  they  are  together  become  unprofita- 
ble ;  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no  not  one. 

Shall  I  turn  my  eyes  toward  the  angelic  host,  and 
crave  the  assistance  of  the  highest  seraphim  ?  It  is 
hopeless  expectation.  I  have  sinned  against  an  infi- 
nite God,  who  demanded  an  infinite  satisfaction.  They 
are  creatures  like  myself,  and  have  nothing  infinite 
to  offer. 

To  whom  then  must  1  look  ? — May  I  for  a  moment 
hope,  that  the  infinite  God  before  whom  the  angels 
veil  their  faces,  will  condescend  to  save  me  from 
merited  destruction,  by  giving  the  required  satisfaction 
to  his  own  adorable  perfections  ? 

But  how  can  God,  who  is  a  spirit,  make  atonement 
for  my  sins,  since  he  has  declared,  "  Without  shedding 
of  blood  there  is  no  remission."  Will  the  eternal  Jeho- 
vah stoop  so  low,  as  to  take  upon  him  my  nature,  and 
suffer  in  my  stead  ?     Will  He  become  a  son  of  man. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  251 

that  I  may  be  made  a  child  of  God  ?— "  Hear,  O  ye 
■heavens  give  ear  O  earth — for  the  Lord  hath  done  it." 

Such  condescending  mercy  could  never  have  been 
conceived  by  men  or  angels,  had  not  God  himself  re- 
vealed this  mystery  of  love  in  the  Volume  of  his  grace. 
His  own  arm  has  brought  salvation.  He  hath  visit- 
ed and  redeemed  his  people.  He  hath  magnified  the 
Law,  and  made  it  honourable.  He  is  become  the 
Lord  our  Righteousness  ;  the  justifier  of  the  un^ 
godly. 

O  wonder  of  wonders  ! 

"  Not  to  be  thought  on,  but  with  tides  of  joy, 
Not  to  be  mentioned,  but  with  shouts  of  praise.  '* 

O  rich  salvation  of  mercy !  "  In  the  beginning  waii 
the  "Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word 
was  God.  And  the  Word  was  made  flesh  and  dwelt 
among  us,  full  of  grace  and  truth.  Jesus,  being  in  the 
form  of  God,  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with 
God,  but  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took  upon 
him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and  was  made  in  the  like- 
ness of  men  ;  and  being  found  in  fashion  as  a  man,  he 
humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even 
the  death  of  the  cross.  He  took  not  on  him  the  nature 
of  angels,  but  he  took  on  him  the  seed  of  Abraham. 
He  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the  angels  for  thfe 
sufl^ering  of  death ;  and,  being  the  brightness  of  the 
Father's  glory,  and  the  express  image  of  his  person, 
and  upholding  all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power, 
when  he  had,  hy  himself  purged  our  sins,  he  sat  down 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high,  being  so 
much  better  than  the  angels,  as  he  had  by  inheritance 


252  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

obtained  a  more  excellent  name  than  they.  There* 
fore  God  hath  highly  exalted  him,  and  given  him  a 
name  which  is  above  every  name,  that  at  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  things  in  heaven  and 
things  in  earth,  and  things  that  are  under  the  earth, 
and  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus  Christ 
is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father." 

Almighty  God,  enable  me,  through  the  mighty  power 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  believe  in  Jesus  ;  to  love  him 
with  all  my  heart ;  to  trust  in  him  as  my  atoning  sac- 
rifice, my  justifying  righteousness;  my  purifying  foun- 
tain, my  hope  of  glory.  Give  me  a  growing  delight 
in  thy  Holy  Word,  which  reveals  these  riches  of  thy 
grace  to  sinners.  May  I  prize  it  as  my  greatest  trea- 
sure, and  study  it  as  my  highest  wisdom.  Impart  to 
me  the  spirit  of  illumination  to  understand  its  truths, 
and  to  comprehend  with  all  saints  what  is  the  breadth, 
and  length,  and  depth,  and  height,  and  to  know  the 
love  of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge,  that  I  may 
be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God.  Give  me  more 
and  more  of  thy  quickening  grace  ;  stir  up  my  languid 
affections,  subdue  my  inward  corruptions,  and  enable 
me  to  persevere  in  the  ways  of  holiness,  till  death  be 
swallowed  up  in  victory ;  and  grace  be  ripened  into 
glory. 

"  Great  God,  when  I  approach  tliy  throne, 
And  all  thy  glory  see ; 
This  is  my  stay,  and  this  alone, 
That  Jesus  died  for  me. 

"  How  can  a  soul  condemn'd  to  die 

Escape  the  just  decree  1 

A  vile,  unworthy  wretch  am  I, 

But  Jesus  died  for  me. 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  253 

"  Burden'd  with  sin's  oppressive  chain, 
O  how  can  I  get  free  1 
No  peace  can  all  my  efforts  gain, 
But  Jesus  died  for  me. 

"  My  course  I  could  not  safely  steer 
Through  life's  tempestuous  sea ; 
Did  not  this  truth  relieve  my  fear. 
That  Jesus  died  for  me. 

"  And  Lord,  when  I  behold  thy  face. 
This  must  be  all  my  plea ; 
Save  me  by  thy  almighty  grace, 
For  Jesus  died  for  me." 

22 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

St.  Paul's  experience  in  the  conflict  between 
the  flesh  and  the  spirit. 

Through  the  remaining  darkness  of  our  minds,  how 
many  conflicting  opinions  divide  the  Christian  world. 
— Each  disputant  claims  truth  to  be  on  his  side,  and 
is  ready  to  anathematise  all  who  differ  from  him. — 
Many,  by  fanciful  interpretations  of  Scripture,  darken 
the  Truth,  and  disseminate  error.  Others,  assuming 
a  dogmatical  spirit,  lord  it  over  their  brethren,  as  if, 
"  They  were  the  people,  and  wisdom  would  die  with 
them."  How  different  is  the  temper  and  conduct  of 
the  humble  Christian.  Being  clothed  with  humility, 
he  thinks  lowly  of  himself,  goes  daily  to  Christ  for 
spiritual  light,  reads  his  Bible  in  a  prayerful  spirit,  and 
exercising  charity  towards  others,  grows  in  grace,  is 
established  in  the  Truth,  and  adorns  the  doctrine  of 
God  his  Saviour  in  all  things. 

As  we  have  a  natural  fondness  for  novelty,  we  rea- 
dily seize  upon  any  new  thought  which  impresses  our 
minds,  and  believing  it  to  be  the  true  sense  of  our  fa- 
vourite passage,  with  Samson-like  arm,  we  try  to  make 
all  others  bend  to  our  own  view  of  the  subject. — The 
late  Mr.  Cecil  justly  observed ;  "  Some  men  get  hold 
of  an  opinion,  and  push  it  so  far,  that  it  meets  and 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  255 

contradicts  other  opinions  fairly  deducible  from  Scrip- 
ture." 

This  error  has  been  the  occasion  of  much  dissen- 
tion  in  the  Church  of  Christ.  How  greatly  we  need 
that  wisdom  which  is  from  above.  It  would  be  well, 
if  the  following  excellent  and  important  suggestion, 
drawn  from  the  experience  of  that  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament,  the  Rev.  Henry  Venn,  was  acted  up- 
on by  our  modern  discoverers  of  the  Truth. — "  To 
guard  against  dangerous  perversions,  it  may  be  laid 
down  as  a  maxim  in  divinity,  That  it  is  necessary  not 
only  to  hold  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  but  also  to  view 
those  doctrines  in  the  same  light  in  which  the  inspired 
writers  viewed  them,  and  to  make  only  the  same  in- 
ferences from  them  which  they  did.  For  there  is 
scarcely  any  truth  which  may  not  be  held  in  a  partial 
manner,  or  seen  through  a  distorting  medium ;  so  that 
we  then  only  believe  as  the  Apostles  did,  when  we 
receive  their  tenets  in  the  same  full  comprehensive 
meaning  in  which  they  delivered  them,  dwell  upon 
them  in  the  same  'proportion  to  other  truths,  and  draw 
the  same  conclusions  from  them." 

It  is  most  important,  then,  rightly  to  explain  the 
Word  of  Truth  ;  for  much  diversity  of  sentiment  arises 
from  the  different  modes  of  interpreting  Scripture. 
To  every  attentive  student  of  the  Bible  it  must  be  evi- 
dent, that  while  numerous  passages  have  a  literal, 
others  have  a  symbolical, — a  figurative, — and  a  com- 
parative meaning. 

Thus,  the  declarations  of  St.  Paul : — "  If  any  man 
have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his  ;" — 


256  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

"  Without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,"  must 
be  understood  in  their  plain  literal  sense. 

When  we  read,  that  "  Jesus  took  bread,  and  bless- 
ed it,  and  brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  his  disciples,  and 
said,  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  hody^' — we  do  not,  as  Pro- 
testants, understand  these  words  in  their  literal,  but  in 
a  symbolical  sense.  We  do  not  believe  that  Christ  ac- 
tually gave  his  body  which  was  then  at  the  table  with 
^lis  disciples,  to  be  eaten  by  them  ;  but  the  natural 
bread  and  wine,  which  he  appointed  to  be  the  syfnbols 
of  his  body  that  should  be  broken,  and  of  his  blood 
that  should  be  poured  out  for  the  remission  of  sins  ; 
and  "  which  are  verily  and  indeed  taken  and  received 
by  the  faithful  in  the  Lord's  Supper." 

When  our  Lord  said,  "  If  thy  hand  or  thy  foot  of- 
fend thee,  cut  them  off  and  cast  them  from  thee ;  If 
thine  eye  offend  thee,  pluck  it  out  and  cast  it  from 
thee  ;"  we  do  not  receive  this  as  a  direct  command,  in 
the  literal  sense  of  the  words,  to  cut  off  and  cast  away 
the  various  members  of  our  bodies  :  but  rather  as  a 
strong  figurative  expression,  to  impress  upon  our  minds 
this  important  truth,  that  if  sin,  though  dear  to  us  as  a 
hand,  a  foot,  or  an  eye,  be  not  cut  off  and  cast  away 
from  us,  we  cannot  enter  into  life  eternal. 

When  to  the  Pharisees,  Jesus  said,  "  Honour  thy 
father  and  mother ;" — and  to  the  multitudes  which 
waited  on  him, — ^"  If  any  man  come  to  me,  and  hate 
not  his  father  and  mother,  he  cannot  be  my  disciple," 
— are  we  to  understand  our  Lord  as  commanding  us 
both  to  honour  and  hate  our  parents  ? — While  the  first 
command  is  positive,  and  the  duty  of  all,,  as  St.  Paul 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  257 

expresses  it ;  "  Children  obey  your  parents  in  all 
things,  for  this  is  well-pleasing  unto  the  Lord," — the 
second  declaration  must  surely  be  understood  in  a 
comparative  sense  ;  as  if  our  Jesus  had  said,  "  If  any 
one  would  come  by  faith  to  me,  would  make  a  profes- 
sion of  my  name,  and  cleave  to  me  for  the  blessings 
of  my  kingdom,  he  must  practise  such  self-denial,  and 
submit  to  such  hardships  and  persecutions  for  my  sake, 
as  show,  that  he  prefers  me  to  all  the  dearest  comforts 
and  relations  of  life,  such  as  parents,  wives,  children, 
brethren,  and  sisters,  yea,  even  life  itself;  and  must 
be  ready  to  part  with  them,  and  to  be  separated  from 
them  at  my  call,  as  if  he  really  hated  them ;  and  must 
be  indeed  averse  to  them,  and  to  his  own  enjoyment 
of  them,  so  far  as  they  would  hinder  his  faith,  and  love, 
and  faithfulness  to  me." 

St.  John,  in  like  manner,  enforces  the  two  following 
important  truths,  which  seem  at  first  sight  to  militate 
against  each  other,  but  when  understood  experimentally , 
they  are  found  to  be  in  perfect  agreement. 

"  If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  our- 
selves, and  the  truth  is  not  in  us." 

"  Whosoever  is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin, 
for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him,  and  he  cannot  sin,  be- 
cause he  is  born  of  God." 

By  the  first,  the  Apostle  plainly  pronounces  it  self- 
deception  to  suppose  that  man  can  attain,  in  this  life, 
to  a  state  of  sinless  perfection ;  and  this  assertion  he 
strengthens,  by  including  himself,  the  beloved  disciple 
of  his  Lord  :  "  if  we  say,  that  we  have  no  sin  we  de- 
ceive ourselves." — By  the  second,  he  as  plainly  de- 
22* 


258  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Glares  it  to  be  contrary  to  the  nature  of  a  child  of  God 
to  commit  sin,  which,  to  be  in  agreement  with  the 
truth  of  the  former  passage,  must  mean,  to  live  in  the 
allowed,  and  habitual  indulgence  of  any  sin. 

The  scriptural  evidence  of  our  being  born  of  God, 
and  of  his  seed  remaining  in  us,  does  not  therefore 
consist  in  an  absolute  and  entire  freedom  from  all  sin 
whilst  in  the  body,  but  in  our  abhorrence  of  it,  in  our 
fiffhtincr  against  it,  and  in  our  not  living  in  the  habitual 
practice  of  it. 

Dr.  John  Guyse,  an  eminent  divine,  contemporary 
with  Watts  and  Doddridge,  thus  expresses  himself  in 
his  Exposition  of  the  New  Testament :  "  We  are  not 
to  imagine  th«  Apostle's  meaning  to  be,  that  a  true 
Christian  never  sins,  for  this  would  be  to  make  him 
directly  contradict  what  he  had  said  about  deceiving 
ourselves^  if  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin ;  and  about  the 
duty  of  confessing  our  sins,  which  supposes  us  to  have 
occasion  so  to  do.  Therefore,  the  words  '  he  cannot 
sin,'  must  be  understood  in  some  such  sense  as  this  ;. 
r— he  cannot  deliberately,  habitually,  presumptuously^ 
and  willingly  sin. 

"  The  expressions  in  the  Greek  are  very  strong,  and 
signify  committing  it,  as  practisers,  workers,  or  doers 
of  it,  with  freedom  and  choice,  like  persons  who  make 
a  trade  of  it ;  and  it  is  the  very  same  expression  which 
our  Lord  used,  when  he  said — '  Whosoever  commit- 
teth  sin  is  the  servant  of  sin.'  Our  Apostle  therefore 
says — '  He  that  committeth  sin  is  of  the  devil ;' — ^but 
— '  Whosoever  is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin  ;* 
•—for  that  principle  of  grace  which  is  infused  into  him 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  ^!^§ 

by  means  of  the  incorruptible  seed  of  the  Word,  has 
an  abiding  root  and  residence  in  him,  to  rule  and  gov- 
ern him  ;  and  he  has  such  a  thorough  hatred  of  all  in- 
iquity, that  he  cannot  give  himself  liberty  to  sin  with 
deliberation  and  full  consent  as  he  used  to  do  ;  he  can- 
not love,  and  live  in  sin.  As  a  child  of  God,  and  born 
of  the  Spirit,  he  has  received  a  principle  of  grace  that 
wills  and  works  in  direct  opposition  to  all  sin,  as  sin ; 
much  less  can  he  sin  upon  the  score  of  his  being  born 
of  God,  as  though  his  new-birth  were  a  license  for  it^ 
or  had  any  tendency  towards  it." 

To  an  antinomian  question  St.  Paul  gives  a  Gospel 
answer :  "  Shall  we  sin  because  we  are  not  under  the 
law,  but  under  grace  ? — God  forbid !  Know  ye  not,, 
that  to  whom  ye  yield  yourselves  servants  to  obey,  his 
servants  ye  are  to  whom  ye  obey,  whether  of  sin  unto 
death,  or  of  obedience  unto  righteousness." 

"  We  know,"  says  St.  John,  "  that  whosoever  is  bora 
of  God  sinneth  not ;  but  he  that  is  begotten  of  God, 
keepeth  himself,  and  that  wicked  one  toucheth  him 
not." — For,  "  He  that  doeth  righteousness  is  righteous, 
even  as  God  is  righteous."  Nothing  is  so  abhorrent 
to  the  renewed  mind,  as  the  workings  of  corruption. 
The  pure  in  heart  love  purity,  and  long  and  pray  for  a 
constant  increase  of  it.  Their  earnest  desire  is,  that 
they  may  be  sanctified  wholly,  in  body,  soul,  and  spir- 
it, that  all  carnal  affections  may  die  in  them,  and  that 
all  things  belonging  to  the  Spirit,  may  live  and  grow 
in  them.  Through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  they 
are  enabled  to  ascend  higher  and  higher  in  the  scale- 
«f  Christian  holiness  ^  to  obtain  a  greater  victory  oven 


260  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil  ;  and  to  glorify  God 
with  their  bodies  and  with  their  spirits  which  are  his. 

Those  who  are  regenerated,  may  be  termed  -perfect^ 
as  being  complete  in  Christ,  and  perfectly  justified 
through  faith  in  his  blood. — They  may  be  called  per- 
fect, when  compared  with  the  wicked,  who  wallow  in 
sin,  and  bear  the  image  of  Satan.  The  advanced  be- 
liever, who  is  matured  in  knowledge  and  experience, 
in  grace  and  holiness,  may  be  styled  perfect,  in  com- 
parison with  young  and  weak  Christians.  Yea,  even 
a  habe  in  Christ,  may  be  considered  perfect  with  res- 
pect to  his  new  nature,  inasmuch  as  he  has  all  the  parts 
of  a  Christian,  though  not  the  full  developement  of 
those  parts  ; — for,  being  born  of  God,  he  is  a  child  of 
God,  and  daily  increases  in  wisdom,  and  spiritual  sta- 
ture, and  in  favour  with  God  and  man. 

All  the  seeds  of  grace  are  sown  in  the  hearts  of 
true  believers.  Repentance,  faith,  love,  obedience, 
patience,  hope,  joy,  and  peace  are  all  experienced  by 
the  young  convert ;  but,  like  the  vegetable  process, 
they  do  not  shoot  up  into  instantaneous  ripeness. — In 
some  they  advance  slowly,  in  others  they  make  more 
rapid  growth  ;  but  in  all,  there  is  first  the  blade,  then 
the  ear,  anu.  then  the  full  corn  in  the  ear. — Their  gra- 
ces, constantly  unfolding  themselves,  attain  to  higher 
degrees  of  ripeness,  till  they  reach  the  heavenly  world, 
where  only  the  perfection  of  unsullied  holiness  can  be 
found.  There  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect, 
surround  the  throne  of  God ;  and,  having  washed 
their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,  they  serve  Him  day  and  night  in  his  temple. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  261^ 

While  in  the  body,  we  must  experience  that  conflict 
between  the  flesh  and  the  Spirit,  which  marks  out  the 
true  believer,  from  those  who  are  the  captives  of  Satan, 
and  from  those  also  who  are  at  ease  in  Zion.  This 
conflict  occasions  much  joy  or  pain,  in  proportion  to 
the  strength  or  weakness  of  these  opposing  principles. 
— The  life  of  the  Christian  is  a  daily  combat.  Those 
persons  are  little  acquainted  with  it,  who  feel  no  in- 
ward struggling  between  nature  and  grace.  It  is  true, 
that  some  pious  persons  are  less  exercised  than  others 
with  internal  conflicts ;  but  every  view  which  the 
Scriptures  give  us  of  a  life  of  faith  is  connected  with 
exertion  and  opposition  both  from  within  and  from 
without.  It  is  called  a  race — a  warfare — a  pilgrim- 
age. Hence  believers  are  exhorted  to  run,  that  they 
may  obtain  the  prize  ;  to  fight,  that  they  may  gain  the 
crown  ;  to  persevere,  that  they  may  reach  their  prom- 
ised rest.  For,  "  as  the  soul  of  the  sluggard  desireth 
and  hath  nothing,  so  the  soul  of  the  diligent  shall  be 
made  fat." 

The  Christian  has  been  compared  to  a  boat  placed 
upon  a  rapid  river,  which,  if  it  be  not  advancing  against 
the  current,  must,  of  necessity,  be  carried  down  by  it. 
To  oppose  the  stream,  would  require  a  power  not  its 
own.  Just  so  it  is  with  the  believer.  He  has  to  con- 
tend against  a  torrent  of  inward  corruptions,  known, 
perhaps,  only  to  God  and  his  own  heart ;  and  having 
lost,  through  the  fall,  all  spiritual  strength,  he  feels  ut- 
terly unable  of  himself  to  resist  them.  He  therefore 
looks  continually  unto  Jesus,  and  being  strengthened 
with  might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner  man,  is  enabled 


262  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

to  Stem  the  stream,  and  thus  to  prove  that  he  possesses 
spiritual  life  and  vigour. 

Sanctification  is,  therefore,  the  gracious  woik  of 
God,  transforming  the  soul  of  the  sinner  into  the  like- 
ness of  Jesus  Christ. — Holiness  is  essential  to  our 
happiness  ;  for  joy  springs  out  of  that  faith  which 
works  by  love,  purifies  the  heart,  and  overcomes  the 
world. 

The  mortification  of  sin  is  compared  by  St.  Paul  to 
crucifixion,  which  was  a  painful  lingering  death ;  "  They 
that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh,  with  the  af- 
fections and  lusts."  Blessed  are  they  who  can  unite 
with  the  holy  Apostle  in  his  truly  Christian  experi- 
ence ;  "  I  am  crucified  with  Christ,  nevertheless  I 
live  ;  yet,  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me  :  and  the  life 
which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  1  live  by  the  faith  of 
the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for 
me." 

How  characteristic  of  the  church  in  her  militant 
condition,  is  the  description  which  Solomon  has  cloth- 
ed in  the  richness  of  Eastern  imagery  ; — "  Who  is 
she  that  looketh  forth  as  the  morning,  fair  as  the  moon, 
clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners?" 
-*  The  sun,"  as  Leighton  beautifully  remarks,  "  is  per- 
fectly luminous,  but  the  moon  is  but  half  enlightened  : 
so  the  believer  is  perfectly  justified,  but  sanctified  only 
in  part.  His  one  half,  his  flesh,  is  dark ;  and  as  the 
partial  illumination  is  the  reason  of  so  many  changes 
in  the  moon,  to  which  the  sun  is  not  subject  at  all :  so 
the  imperfection  of  a  Christian's  holiness,  is  the  cause 
of  so  many  waxings  and  wanings,  and  of  the  great 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  263 

inequality  of  his  performances  ;  whereas,  in  the  mean 
while,  his  justification  remains  constantly  like  itself. 
This  is  imparted.     This  is  inherent." 

Equally  characteristic  of  the  helplessness  of  the 
Church  is  the  interesting  enquiry  ; — "  Who  is  this  that 
cometh  up  from  the  wilderness,  leaning  upon  her  be- 
loved ?" 

Is  Christ  the  beloved  of  our  souls  ?  Do  we  behold 
in  him  infinite  beauty,  grace,  and  power  1  Are  we  re- 
posing our  souls  upon  his  faithfulness  and  truth  ;  lean- 
ing only  on  the  hope  of  his  heavenly  grace  ?  Drawn 
by  the  Spirit,  are  we  coming  up  from  this  wilderness 
world,  a  world  of  sin  and  sorrow,  and  journeying, 
through  the  strength  of  Jesus,  to  the  paradise  above  ? 

Some  persons,  unacquainted  with  the  depth  of  hu- 
man corruption,  think,  that  to  be  good,  is  an  easy  at- 
tainment. The  standard  of  goodness,  which  consists 
in  amiability  of  temper,  a  freedom  from  grossly  vicious 
habits,  and  a  benevolent  desire  to  relieve  the  indigent, 
our  fallen  nature  may  reach.  A  well  directed  educa- 
tion, the  moral  tone  of  the  circle  in  which  we  move, 
and  a  decorous  observance  of  the  outward  forms  of  re- 
ligion, have  each  a  tendency  to  civilize  the  mind,  and 
to  give  a  certain  air  of  excellence  to  the  character. 
But  all  this  is  very  far  below  the  standard  of  evangel- 
ical holiness. 

Barnabas  was  called  a  good  man,  because,  "  he  was 
full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith."  St.  Paul,  who 
was  no  flatterer,  bore  this  testimony  to  the  Roman  Chris- 
tians ;  "  I  am  persuaded  of  you,  my  brethren,  that  ye 
are  full  of  goodness,"     On  what  he  founded  this  as- 


264  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

sertion,  he  himself  informed  them  ;  "  Ye  are  the  call- 
ed of  Jesus  Christ. — Your  faith  is  spoken  of  through- 
out the  whole  world. — Your  obedience  is  come  abroad 
unto  all  men." 

How  opposite  is  the  goodness  which  the  world  ad- 
mires, from  that  which  God  approves.  The  one  like 
the  morning  cloud  and  early  dew,  passeth  away  ;  the 
other,  like  the  rising  sun,  shineth  more  and  more  unto 
the  perfect  day. 

The  love  of  God  in  Christ,  a  conformity  to  his 
image,  a  hatred  of  all  sin,  a  renunciation  of  worldly 
lusts,  and  an  entire  devotedness  of  heart  to  the  divine 
will,  constitute  that  goodness  which  is  pleasing  unto 
God,  and  which  can  only  spring  from  an  union  to 
Christ,  by  faith,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
This  happy  state  is  attended  with  much  conflict,  ari- 
sing from  the  remainders  of  sin  in  the  regenerate.  A 
battle  must  be  fought,  but  the  believer  who  dies  fight- 
ing against  sin,  will  die  conquering,  through  the  blood 
of  Jesus. 

The  experience  of  eminent  Christians  is  always  in- 
teresting and  instructive.  All  have  to  pass  through 
the  strait  gate,  and  to  travel  along  the  narrow  way. 
Many  are  discouraged,  because  they  think  their  trials 
are  peculiar  to  themselves,  and  such  as  no  spiritual- 
ly-minded believer  can  experience. 

Being  afraid  to  disclose  their  griefs,  they  suffer  much 
inward  distress  from  the  dread  of  self-deception  and 
hypocrisy.  Satan,  taking  advantage  of  this  state  of 
mind,  strives  to  confirm  their  fears,  by  casting  his  fiery 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  265 

darts  into  their  souls,  and  impelling  them  onwards  to 
the  brink  of  despair. 

.  But  Jesus  will  not  suffer  his  sheep  to  perish.  What 
Satan  meant  for  evil,  he  overrules  for  good.  These 
trials,  though  severe,  cut  up  self-righteous  hopes  by 
the  root,  and  lead  the  trembling  believer,  under  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  the  foot  of  the  cross, 
where  peace,  and  strength,  and  victory  are  obtained. 

They  can  now  with  freedom  open  their  hearts  to 
some  fellow-pilgrim,  and  are  surprised  to  find,  that  the 
same  afflictions  are  accomplished  in  their  brethren  that 
are  in  the  world.  Thus  they  are  comforted  and  en- 
couraged to  persevere. 

May  every  Christian  reader  take  encouragement 
when  thus  tried ;  for  the  God  of  all  grace,  who  hath 
called  us,  (if  believers  in  his  dear  Son,)  unto  his  eter- 
nal glory  by  Jesus  Christ,  will,  after  we  have  suffered 
a  while,  stablish,  strengthen,  settle  us.  To  Him  be 
glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

St.  Paul,  when  he  became  a  subject  of  divine  grace, 
was  made  to  groan  under  the  burden  of  in-dwelling 
sin,  which,  in  his  unconverted  state,  sat  lightly  on  his 
conscience. 

The  unregenerate,  who  are  revelling  in  sinful  plea- 
sures, can  form  no  idea  of  the  pain  which  a  holy  mind 
feels,  when  an  impure  thought  is  presented  to  the  im- 
agination. Those  things  which  the  wicked  dwell  up- 
on with  delight,  are  distressing  to  the  pure  in  heart. 
When,  therefore,  we  hear  the  believer  in  Jesus,  mourn- 
ing over  his  corruptions,  and  loathing  himself  for  all 
his  abominations,  it  is  not  because  he  has,  in  every  in- 
23 


266  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE- 

stance,  cherished  iniquity,  but  because  it  is  offensive  in 
all  its  actings  to  his  new-born  soul.  With  the  tried 
Apostle  he  can  say, — "  We  that  are  in  this  tabernacle, 
do  groan,  being  burdened, — and  are  willing  to  be  ab- 
sent from  the  body,  and  to  be  present  with  the  Lord." 

In  the  seventh  chapter  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Ro- 
mans, this  spiritual  conflict  is  described  in  such  humil- 
iating terms,  that  by  some,  it  is  supposed  to  relate  to 
an  awakened  Jew,  seeking  justification  by  the  works 
of  the  Law,  or,  to  an  unconfirmed  believer,  struggling 
with  feeble  strength  against  the  power  of  indwelling 
sin.  They  cannot  conceive  that  St.  Paul  is  relating 
his  own  experience,  when,  in  his  advanced  state  of 
Gospel  sanctification,  he  says,  "  I  am  carnal,  sold  un- 
der sin." 

As  the  design  of  this  little  work  is  to  be  experimen- 
tal, and  not  controversial,  and  as  the  holy  Apostle 
makes  use  of  ihe  first  person,  we  will  take  it  for  grant- 
ed, that  he  is  speaking  of  himself,  and  thus  endeavour 
to  draw  that  benefit  from  his  experience  which  we  be- 
lieve he  intended  to  convey  to  the  Christians  at  Rome. 

Having  declared,  that  believers  are  dead  to  the  Law 
by  the  body  of  Christ ;  and  that  the  Law,  so  far  from 
subduing  the  evil  passions,  is  the  innocent  occasion  of 
stirring  up  their  opposing  lustings,  the  Apostle  asks, 
— "  Is  the  Law  sin  ?  God  forbid.  Nay,  I  had  not 
known  sin,  but  by  the  Law  :  for  I  had  not  known  lust 
except  the  Law  had  said.  Thou  shalt  not  covet." 
Here  he  probably  describes  his  earliest  convictions. 
It  was  then  the  Tenth  Commandment,  reaching  to  the 
desires  of  the  heart,  which  brought  him  to  a  sense  of 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  267 

guilt  and  condemnation.  For,  he  declares :  "  I  was 
alive  without  the  Law  once,  but  when  the  command- 
ment came,  (perhaps  the  Tenth  Commandment  more 
especially,  in  all  its  spirituality  and  power,)  sin  reviv- 
ed, and  I  died ;  and  the  commandment,  which  was  or- 
dained to  life,  I  found  to  be  unto  death." 

In  his  unenlightened  state,  he  was  evidently  work- 
ing for  life,  instead  oi  from  life  received.  He  was 
forming  a  righteousness  of  his  own,  grounded  on  his 
obedience  to  the  outward  letter  of  the  Law,  and  which 
he  conceived  to  be  blameless,  as  he  told  the  Philip- 
pians,  when  summing  up  his  Pharisaical  merits.  But, 
when  his  eyes  were  opened  to  see  his  guilt  and  pollu- 
tion, he  found  this  very  Law  in  which  he  trusted,  and 
from  which  he  expected  so  much  reward,  to  be  unto 
death,  condemning  him,  as  a  breaker  of  it,  to  eternal 
destruction.  "  For  sin,"  he  adds,  "  taking  occasion  by 
the  commandment,  deceived  me,  and  by  it  slew  me." 

O  that  we  may  learn  true  wisdom  from  this  experi- 
ence. Sin  first  deceives,  and  then  slays  the  soul. 
Well  might  the  Apostle  warn  the  Hebrew  converts, 
lest  any  of  them  should  be  hardened  through  the  de- 
ceitfulness  of  sin. 

How  carefully  does  this  experienced  Christian 
guard  the  Church  at  Rome  against  the  least  idea  of 
the  Law  being  the  cause  of  sin ;  for  he  immediately 
declares,  "  The  Law  is  holy,  and  the  commandment 
holy,  and  just,  and  good.  Was  then  that  which  is 
good  made  death  unto  me:  God  forbid.'*  Sin  is  the 
only  cause  of  death.  "  By  one  man  sin  entered  into 
the  world,  and  death  by  sin ;  and  so  death  passed  up- 


268  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

on  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned."  If  Adam  had 
never  sinned,  death  would  never  have  reigned  over  the 
human  race.  "  But,"  says  the  Apostle,  "  sin,  that  it 
might  appear  sin,  working  death  in  me,  by  that  which 
is  good,  that  sin  by  the  commandment" — contrasted 
with  its  spotless  nature — "  might  become  exceeding 
sinful." 

It  is  sin  then,  and  not  the  holy  Law  of  God,  which 
works  death  in  the  soul,  and  effects  its  ruin.  The 
Law  convinces  and  condemns.  Sin  defiles  and  de- 
stroys. So  frightful  is  sin  in  its  nature  and  conse- 
quences, that  nothing  but  itself  can  adequately  express 
its  vileness, — "  that  sin  might  become  exceeding  sin- 
ful" Surely  none  but  fools  would  make  a  mock  at 
sin,  or  treat  with  levity  the  awakened  sinner,  who  is 
seeking  deliverance  from  its  guilt  and  power. 

The  Apostle  proceeds  ;  "  For  we  know  that  the  Law 
is  spiritual ;  but  I  am  carnal."  Here  he  draws  a  con- 
trast between  the  purity  of  the  Law,  and  the  carnality 
of  his  fallen  nature ;  and  when  brought  to  this  stand- 
ard of  perfect  holiness,  he  perceived  at  once,  through 
the  light  of  the  Spirit,  the  pollution  of  his  best  ac- 
tions. 

But  how  strong  the  expression  which  he  now  uses, 
— *'  sold  under  sin."  What  ?  the  Lord's  freeman,  sold 
under  sin  ?  Could  he,  like  Ahab,  sell  himself  to  work 
wickedness  ?     Impossible. 

The  believer,  whose  experience  is  here  described 
is  not  said  to  sell  himself,  he  was  sold  under  sin.  This 
implies  something  passive,  rather  than  active. 

We  may  be  said  to  be  soldy  with  respect  to  original 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  269 

siTif  which  taints  our  whole  nature,  before  we  can  per- 
form one  act  of  the  will.  When  we  have  attained  to 
the  exercise  of  our  mental  faculties,  and  are  duly- 
awakened  to  a  sense  of  our  abject  condition,  we  re- 
semble slaves,  who  are  longing  for  deliverance,  and 
yet  cannot  emancipate  themselves  from  their  hated 
bondage.  Through  the  remainders  of  corruption,  we 
have  to  struggle  and  fight  against  the  sin  'that  dwells 
within  us,  and  which  is  ever  seeking  to  entrap  us  by 
its  deceitful  wiles  :  but,  as  the  servants  of  Jesus  Christ, 
we  can  never  be  the  willing  slaves  of  sin ;  this  is  to- 
tally adverse  to  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  and  marks 
with  awful  blackness  the  subjects  of  Satan's  kingdom. 

This  seems  to  be  the  meaning  of  the  Apostle's  dec- 
laration;  for  he  adds  with  much  simplicity  and  sincer- 
ity, "  For  that  which  I  do,  I  allow  not ;  for  what  I 
would,  that  do  I  not,  but  what  I  hate,  that  do  I." — Thus 
confessing  how  much  it  distressed  his  renewed  mind, 
to  feel  this  inward  struggle  against  the  holy  principle 
of  grace.  The  whole  bent  of  his  mind  and  will  was 
toward  God  and  holiness ;  therefore,  he  could  affirm 
for  his  own  comfort,  "  If  then  I  do  that  which  I  would 
not,  I  consent  unto  the  Law  that  it  is  good." 

His  will  was  averse  from  sin  and  inclined  to  the 
holy  law  of  God  ;  on  which  account  he  could  declare 
without  hesitation, — "  Now  then,  it  is  no  more  I  that 
do  it,  but  sin  that  dwelleth  in  me."  As  if  he  said — 
It  is  not  the  newly  implanted  principle,  the  new  man 
in  Christ  Jesus  which  thus  labours  to  throw  off  the 
restraining  power  of  the  Law,  but  sin,  the  unrenewed 
part  of  my  nature,  which  still  dwells  within  me : 
23* 


270  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

*'  For  I  know  that  in  me,  that  is,  in  my  flesh,"  (my 
corrupt  and  unregenerate  nature)  "  dwelleth  no  good 
thing :  for  to  will,"  (through  the  power  of  converting 
grace)  "  is  present  with  me,  but  how  to  perform  that 
which  is  good"  (through  the  remainders  of  corruption) 
"  I  find  not." 

How  important  is  self-knowledge.  "  I  know,"  saith 
this  experienced  saint,  "  that  in  me  dwelleth  no  good 
thing." 

This  is  not  the  language  of  a  proud  Pharisee,  or  of 
a  self-righteous  professor  of  Christianity,  but  of  an 
humble  believer,  taught  of  God  to  know  himself,  to 
feel  the  plague  of  his  own  heart,  and  to  bewail  his 
corruptions  with  unfeigned  sorrow. 

How  did  the  Apostle  know,  that  in  him  dwelt  no 
good  thing ;  that  is,  as  he  himself  explains  it,  in  his 
jlesh  or  unrenewed  nature  ?  Because  he  was  constrain- 
ed to  acknowledge, — "  The  good  that  I  would,  I  do 
not ;  but  the  evil  which  1  would  not,  that  I  do."  He 
therefore  places  this  distressing  experience  to  the  ac- 
count of  indwelling  sin  :  "  Now  if  I  do  that  I  would 
not,  it  is  no  more  1"  (my  renewed  nature)  "  that  do  it, 
but  sin  that  dwelleth  in  me." 

At  length  he  comes  to  this  conclusion ;  "  I  find  then 
a  law,  that  when  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present  with 
me." — I  cannot  shake  off  this  hated  inmate,  neverthe- 
less, **  1  delight  in  the  Law  of  God  after  the  inward 
man." 

This  proves  that  the  experience  here  stated,  is  that 
of  a  truly  converted  person,  under  the  teaching  of  the 
Spirit ;  for  an  unregenerate  man  could  not  delight  in 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  271 

the  Law  of  God  after  the  inward  man,  that  is,  with 
all  the  powers  and  affections  of  the  renewed  mind. 

"  But,"  he  adds,  "  I  see  another  law  in  my  mem- 
bers, warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bring- 
ing me  into  captivity  to  the  law  of  sin,  which  is  in  my 
members." 

Thus,  while  grace  was  urging  on  to  higher  and 
higher  degrees  of  holiness,  these  Canaanites  in  the 
land  were  opposing  his  progress,  and  trying  to  bring 
him  into  their  hated  captivity. 

Feeling  most  deeply  his  utter  helplessness  under 
these  distressing  conflicts,  he  is  compelled  to  cry  out 
with  doleful  lamentation,  "O  wretched  man  that  1  am ! 
who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  V* 
Who  shall  rescue  me  from  this  loathesome  body  of  sin, 
which  I  feel  so  closely  attached  to  me,  and  from  which 
1  cannot  escape  ? 

Job,  and  David,  and  Isaiah,  and  other  eminent  saints, 
have  been  forced  to  make  a  similar  cry,  when  labour- 
ing under  the  conscious  burden  of  in-dwelling  sin. 

But,  what  joy,  does  the  Gospel  bring  to  the  heavy- 
laden  soul ;  what  relief  to  the  disquieted  conscience  ! 
— One  believing  glance  of  a  crucified,  exalted  Saviour^ 
can  drive  away  a  legion  of  in-bred  evils,  and  deliver 
the  oppressed  soul  from  all  its  burdens. 

The  happy  saint,  having,  by  an  act  of  faith,  reach- 
ed the  foot  of  the  cross,  now  breaks  forth  into  an  ex- 
tacy  of  delight, — "  I  thank  God,"  who  giveth  me  the 
victory,  "  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

Every  fresh  application  to  the  blood  of  the  Atone- 

) 


272  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ment,  brings  fresh  peace  and  strength  to  the  soul,  and 
is  the  sovereign  antidote  to  the  evil  of  sin. 

For  the  consolation  of  every  tried  believer,  v^ho 
has  thus  to  endure  the  conflict  between  the  flesh  and 
the  Spirit,  the  Apostle  draws  his  blessed  conclusion ; 
"  There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the 
flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit ;  for  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of 
life  in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  of 
sin  and  death ;  for  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that 
it  was  weak  through  the  flesh,  God  sending  his  own 
Son  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh,  and  for  sin,  con- 
demned sin  in  the  flesh,  that  the  righteousness  of  the 
Law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the 
flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit." 

Happy  is  the  believer,  who,  taught  by  the  Spirit  to 
know  and  to  feel  his  own  unworthiness  and  nothing- 
ness, goes  daily  to  his  crucified  Lord  for  an  increase 
of  faith  and  love. — It  is  an  awful  deception  to  imagine, 
that  because  sin  is  never  wholly  destroyed  whilst  we 
remain  in  the  body,  that  therefore  we  may  feel  easy 
about  its  dwelling  within  us.  This  is  not  the  feeling 
of  a  child  of  God.  Every  perception,  every  motion, 
every  acting  of  sin,  however  inward  or  unperceived 
by  others,  is  painful  and  humbling  to  the  new-born 
soul.  Having  received  a  new  nature,  the  believer  has 
received  a  new  bias,  new  affections,  and  new  desires. 
He  pants  after  God.  He  longs  to  be  conformed  to  the 
perfect  image  of  his  Saviour.  He  delights  to  do  the 
will  of  his  heavenly  Father.  Though  pardoned 
through  faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  he  still  loathes 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  273 

himself  on  account  of  his  iniquity,  and  watches,  and 
prays,  and  strives  against  the  sin  which  doth  so  easi- 
ly beset  him.  By  the  light  of  the  Gospel  Truth,  he 
searches  his  heart,  and  takes  a  survey  of  those  temp- 
tations and  snares  which  surround  his  path.  Ceasing 
from  man,  he  trust  in  the  faithfulness  of  his  Covenant 
God.  Renouncing  his  own  righteousness,  he  looks 
unto  Jesus,  and  labours,  through  the  Spirit,  to  follow 
his  steps. — As  a  person,  ascending  a  lofty  mountain, 
sees  the  prospect  widen  before  him,  the  nearer  he  ap- 
proaches its  summit ;  so  the  true  believer,  as  he  ad- 
vances in  his  Christian  course,  obtains  a  more  expand- 
ed view  of  the  perfections  of  Jehovah,  of  the  purity 
of  the  Law,  and  of  the  holiness  of  the  Gospel.  Hence 
forgetting  those  things  which  are  behind,  and  reaching 
forth  unto  those  things  which  are  before,  he  daily  pur- 
sues his  upward  walk,  till,  passing  through  the  gates  of 
death,  he  attains  the  summit  of  his  desires,  when, 
standing  upon  Mount  Zion,  with  palms  of  victory  and 
songs  of  praise,  he  beholds  Jesus  in  the  fulness  of 
His  glory,  and  is  made  like  Him  in  the  perfection  of 
His  holiness,  when  he  sees  Him  as  He  is. 

A  consciousness  of  indwelling  sin  should  therefore 
drive  us  to  the  cross  ;  make  us  value  the  finished  work 
of  our  Redeemer,  and  excite  us  to  more  fervent  sup- 
plications for  growth  in  grace  : — knowing  that  this  is 
the  will  of  God,  even  our  sanctification  ;  and,  that  if 
we  ask  any  thing  according  to  his  Will  he  heareth  us. 

How  great  then  is  the  privilege  of  the  sanctified  be- 
liever. He  walks  in  the  light  of  the  Divine  Counte- 
nance, and  enjoys  communion  with  God. — The  blood 


274  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

of  Jesus  Christ  cleanses  him  from  all  sin ;  while  the 
Holy  Ghost  dwells  in  him,  as  in  a  temple  consecrated 
to  the  Divine  glory. — Yet,  writes  St.  John,  "  If  we  say 
we  have  no  sin^  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth 
is  not  in  us."  O  that  we  may  come  to  Christ,  as  little 
children,  subjecting  our  minds  to  his  Will  and  our  reason 
to  his  Word  ;  then  shall  we  know  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Je- 
sus, and  be  governed,  and  guided,  and  sanctified  by  it. 

Christian  reader,  are  thy  feelings  in  unison  with 
those  of  the  Apostle  ?  If  thou  canst  not  read  thy  ex- 
perience in  this  Seventh  Chapter  to  the  Romans,  thou 
hast  no  right  to  the  comforts  of  the  Eighth. 

When  the  motions  of  sin  are  felt  within  thee,  how 
dost  thou  act  respecting  them  1  Are  they  suffered  to 
work  unmolested  in  thy  heart ;  or,  are  they,  when  per- 
ceived, immediately  resisted  by  the  prayer  of  faith  ? 
Do  these  perceptions  of  inward  corruption  give  thee 
pain  ;  or  are  they  treated  with  indifference,  so  long  as 
the  inward  evil  does  not  become  an  outward  sore? 
Canst  thou  say  with  the  Apostle,  "  to  will  is  present 
with  me.  I  consent  unto  the  Law  that  it  is  good  ;  I 
delight  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man." 
And,  when  the  cry  of  agony, — "  0  wretched  man  that 
I  am,"  is  extorted  from  thee  under  the  pressing  bur- 
den of  conscious  corruption,  does  a  believing  view  of 
Jesus,  as  thy  righteousness  and  strength,  become,  at 
once,  the  death  of  thy  sins,  and  the  life  of  thy  hopes  ? 
If  so,  then  take  the  full  comfort  of  the  Apostle's  as- 
surance, that  to  thee,  there  is  no  condemnation,  while 
thou  evidencest  thy  union  to  Christ,  by  walking  not  af- 
ter the  flesh,  but  afler  the  Spirit. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  275 

It  has  been  quaintly,  but  truly  remarked,  that  the 
Cross-bearer  shall  be  the  Crown-wearer.  Many  are 
the  afflictions  of  the  righteous,  but  the  outward  trials 
which  they  have  to  encounter  in  common  with  the  rest 
of  mankind,  would  be  easily  borne,  were  it  not  for  the 
plague  of  their  own  hearts,  which  greatly  adds  to  the 
weight  of  temporal  affliction. 

Their  desire  is  to  have  their  wills  swallowed  up  in 
the  Will  of  God,  and  with  fflial  affection  to  kiss  the 
hand  that  smites.  But  alas  !  too  often  they  have  to 
mourn  over  a  rebellious  spirit,  which  makes  sad  in- 
roads into  their  spirituality  and  peace. 

Being  taught  of  God  to  know  themselves,  and  to 
abhor  sin,  they  daily  wrestle  with  this  inbred  evil. 

The  weapons  of  all-prayer  and  faith  in  the  blood  of 
Jesus  arm  them  for  the  combat.  Looking  unto  Jesus, 
the  Captain  of  their  salvation,  and  confiding  in  his 
love,  whose  grace  is  sufficient  for  them,  and  whose 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  their  weakness,  they  en- 
dure unto  the  end,  and  obtain  a  crown  of  glory  that 
fadeth  not  away. 

Such  are  the  conflicts  and  such  the  conquests  of 
every  true  believer.  With  Paul,  he  can  say,  "  With- 
out are  fightings,  within  are  fears  ;"  and  with  this  holy 
man  he  can  glory  in  tribulation.  Beholding  our  dan- 
ger and  our  refuge,  have  we  fled  with  anxious  haste  to 
the  cross  of  Christ,  and  there,  through  faith,  obtained 
the  pardon  of  our  sins,  the  robe  of  righteousness,  the 
spirit  of  adoption,  the  renewal  of  our  nature,  the  peace 
of  God,  the  foretaste  of  heavenly  bliss  ? 

"  Happy  art  thou  0  Israel,  who  is  like  unto  thee,  O 


276  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

people  saved  by  the  Lord. — The  eternal  God  is  thy 
refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms." 
"  No  v^eapon  that  is  formed  against  thee  shall  prosper ; 
and  every  tongue  that  shall  rise  against  thee  in  judg- 
ment thou  shalt  condemn.  This  is  the  heritage  of  the 
servants  of  the  Lord,  and  their  righteousness  is  of  me, 
saith  the  Lord." 


"  O  vain  heart,  where  art  thou  roving ; 
What  proud  wishes  in  thee  swell  1 
Canst  thou  hope  for  God's  approving  1 
Art  thou  fit  with  him  to  dwell  1 

••  Do  those  empty  joys  ensnare  thee 
Which  frail  mortals  prize  so  high  1 
Or  do  faith's  bright  visions  bear  thee 
To  the  portals  of  the  sky  1 


\ 


"  There  are  times  when  I  can  cherish 
Fondest  hopes  of  heav'nly  rest ; 
Soon,  too  soon,  they  fade,  they  perish ; 
All  is  gloom  within  my  breast. 

"  O  how  desolate  and  dreary 

Are  those  hours  of  lonely  grief, 
When  the  mind,  depress'd  and  weary. 
Seeks,  but  cannot  find,  relief. 

"  Gracious  Lord,  thy  righteous  dealings 
With  our  sinful  race  below, 
Prove  thee  faithful,  though  our  feelings 
Like  the  ocean,  ebb  and  flow. 

"  Hear  my  fervent  supplication. 

And  thy  strength  and  peace  restore ; 
Fix  me  on  a  firm  foundation, 
That  I  may  be  raov'd  no  more. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

ON  THE  SPIRITUAL  CONFLICT CONTINUED. 

We  have  seen  the  sentiments  of  the  Saxon  Reformer 
respecting  that  corner-stone  of  the  Reformation,  the 
doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  ;  how  zealous  he  was 
for  the  absolute  freeness  of  Divine  grace,  and  yet  how 
jealous  for  the  interests  of  holiness.  We  will  now 
consider  his  views  and  feelings  with  regard  to  the 
Christian's  conflict  between  the  flesh  and  the  Spirit. 

"  It  is  very  useful,"  says  Luther,  "  for  sincere  and 
pious  persons  to  know  and  meditate  on  Paul's  doctrine 
concerning  the  contest  of  the  flesh  and  the  Spirit.  It 
is  an  admirable  comfort  to  the  tempted. 

"  When  I  was  a  monk,  if  at  any  time  I  happened 
to  feel  the  motions  of  a  bad  passion,  I  used  to  think 
the  prospect  of  ray  salvation  was  completely  over.  I 
struggled  in  a  variety  of  ways  both  to  overcome  the 
bad  passion,  and  to  quiet  my  conscience.  All  in  vain. 
The  lust  of  the  flesh  returned,  and  I  was  harassed 
with  thoughts  of  this  sort :  Thou  hast  committed  this, 
or  that  sin  ;  thou  art  impatient,  thou  art  envious ;  in 
vain  hast  thou  entered  into  holy  orders.  Now  if  I  had 
rightly  understood  Paul's  doctrine  of  the  flesh  lusting 
against  the  Spirit,  I  should  not  so  long  and  so  miser- 
ably have  afflicted  myself.  I  should  have  reflected, 
24 


278  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

and  said,  as  I  do  at  this  day  in  similar  situations; 
Martin,  as  long  as  thou  remainest  in  the  flesh,  thou 
wilt  never  be  entirely  without  sin  :  thou  art  now  in  the 
flesh,  and  therefore  thou  must  experience  a  contest 
with  it ;  and  this  is  agreeable  to  what  Paul  says,  the 
flesh  resisteth  the  Spirit.  Despair  not  thou  then,  but 
strive  manfully  against  all  carnal  dispositions,  and  ful- 
fil not  their  lustings.  Do  this,  and  the  Law  shall  have 
no  condemning  dominion  over  thee." 

In  the  same  self-abasing  spirit,  he  speaks  of  himself 
and  his  fellow-labourers  in  the  ministry  ; — "  We  our- 
selves, the  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  are  not  so  active 
and  zealous  in  doing  our  duty,  now  that  we  have  the 
light  of  truth,  as  we  were  before,  during  the  darkness 
of  our  ignorance.  We  are  grown  cold  and  negligent 
in  handling  the  Word,  and  in  prayer  also ;  and  lastly, 
both  in  well-doing  and  in  suffering  ;  insomuch,  that  if 
Satan  did  not  torment  us  internally,  with  spiritual  tem- 
tations,  and  externally,  with  hostile  persecutions,  and 
above  all,  with  the  contempt  and  ingratitute  of  our  own 
congregations,  we  should  become,  I  fear,  quite  care- 
less, and  lazy,  and  lost  to  every  good  work." 

Happy  would  it  be  for  the  Church,  if  this  picture 
did  not  apply  to  modern  times.  But,  blessed  be  God, 
we  still  have  men  amongst  us,  who,  like  Luther,  are 
valiant  for  the  truth  upon  the  earth  ;  who  contend  ear- 
nestly for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints ;  and 
who  are  not  ashamed  to  confess  Christ  before  a  sinful 
and  adulterous  generation.  May  their  number  increase 
a  thousand-fold. 

Luther  laboured  to  bring  back  the  Christian  Church, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  279 

not  only  to  the  purity  of  the  faith,  but  to  the  practice 
of  piety. 

"  The  whole  man,"  writes  this  enlightened  Reform- 
er, "  must,  in  the  Gospel,  stoop  and  become  new.  He 
must  put  off,  as  it  were,  the  old  skin,  as  the  serpent 
does.  For  when  its  skin  is  old,  the  serpent  seeks  out 
a  narrow  hole  of  a  rock,  and  forces  itself  into  it,  and 
draws  its  old  skin  off  from  itself,  and  leaves  it  without 
before  the  hole.  So  must  a  man  yield  himself  to  the 
Gospel  and  God's  Word,  and  boldly  follow,  and  draw 
off,  as  it  were  his  old  skin,  and  leave  without,  his 
knowledge,  his  thoughts,  his  will,  his  love,  his  pleas- 
ures, his  words,  his  works ;  and  become  entirely  a 
new  man,  who  sees  all  things  differently  from  what  he 
did  before,  judges  differently,  feels  differently,  thinks 
differently,  chooses  differently,  speaks  differently,  de- 
sires differently,  pursues  and  works  differently." 

"  Truly  religious  persons,"  he  justly  remarks,  "  cru- 
cify the  flesh  with  the  affections  and  lusts  ;  and  hence 
their  sins  do  not  finally  ruin  them.  For,  if  they  obey 
the  flesh  by  gratifying  its  concupiscence,  they  infalli- 
bly lose  their  faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  Moreover, 
if  they  do  not  abhor  their  sins,  sincerely  repent,  and 
return  to  Christ,  that  they  may  recover  their  faith  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  they  will  die  in  their  sins.  Where- 
fore I  can  speak  no  comfort  to  those  who  dream  they 
have  faith,  and  yet  live  in  sin. 

"  Against  all  such  there  is  a  dreadful  sentence  in 
force  ;  namely, — *  They  that  live  after  the  flesh  shall 
die.  And  further,  the  works  of  the  flesh  are  manifest : 
adultery,  fornication,  uncleanness,  lasciviousness,  idol- 


280  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

atry,  and  such  like :  they  M'ho  do  such  things  shall 
not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.' " 

Luther  then  shows  in  what  way  true  believers  are 
kept  from  falling  into  gross  sins,  and  how  they  are 
enabled  to  persevere  even  unto  the  end :  "  The  severe 
threatenings  of  Almighty  God  against  sin,"  he  ob- 
serves, "have  a  due  effect  upon  the  minds  of  true  be- 
lievers, so  as  to  deter  them  from  breaking  his  laws. 
They  arm  themselves  with  the  word  of  God,  with 
faith,  and  with  prayer,  and  do  not  give  way  to  the  lusts 
of  the  flesh.  In  fact,  they  so  resist  the  flesh,  as  to 
nail  it  to  the  cross  with  all  its  sinful  desires.  Hence 
it  is,  that  the  flesh,  though  yet  alive,  and  capable  of 
showing  some  signs  of  motion,  cannot  perform  what  it 
would,  being  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  nailed  fast  to 
the  cross.  Such  are  the  principles,  and  such  is  the 
practice  of  truly  pious  persons.  The  same  important 
truths  may  be  expressed  a  little  differently  thus  :  The 
faithful,  while  they  live  on  earth,  do  actually  crucify 
the  flesh ;  that  is,  though  they  are  sensible  of  its  lust- 
ings,  they  do  not  obey  them.  Furnished  with  the 
armour  of  God,  namely,  faith,  hope,  and  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  they  oppose  the  natural  or  carnal  man  ;  and 
with  these  spiritual  arms,  as  it  were,  with  nails,  fix 
him  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  compel  him  against  his 
will,  to  be  subject  to  the  spiritual  man,  or  new  creature. 
Afterwards  when  they  die,  they  entirely  put  off  the 
carnal  man,  and  they  will  rise  from  the  dead,  with  a 
body  incorruptible,  and  free  from  sinful  affections  and 
lusts." 

Thus  clearly  did  this  zealous  Reformer  declare,  in 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  281 

unison  with  the  Apostle,  that  there  are  two  principles 
of  action  within  us,  flesh  and  spirit ;  and  though  we 
cannot  entirely  put  off  the  flesh  or  kill  it,  we  must 
fight  against  it,  and  strive  to  subdue  it,  till  we  put  off 
our  mortal  body,  and  enter  that  blessed  state,  where, 

"  Flesh  and  sin  no  more  control, 
The  sacred  pleasures  of  the  soul. " 

The  Church  of  England  maintains  the  same  truth 
with  equal  clearness  in  one  of  her  Collects  :  "  O  Lord, 
raise  up  thy  power,  and  come  among  us,  and  with 
great  might  succour  us  ;  that  whereas  through  our  sins 
and  wickedness,  we  are  sore  let  and  hindered  in  running 
the  race  that  is  set  before  us,  thy  bountiful  grace  and 
mercy  may  speedily  help  and  deliver  us." 

Also,  in  the  ninth  Article  :  "  Man  is  very  far  gone 
from  original  righteousness,  and  is  of  his  own  nature 
inclined  to  evil,  so  that  the  flesh  lusteth  always  con- 
trary to  the  Spirit.  And  this  infection  of  nature  doth 
remain,  yea,  in  them  that  are  regenerated,  whereby  the 
lust  of  the  flesh  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God." 

This  remnant  of  corruption  in  the  converted  sinner 
is  powerfully  pressed  upon  our  consciences,  as  a  cause 
for  deep  humiliation  in  the  Homily  on  the  misery  of  man : 
— "  Let  us  all  confess  with  mouth  and  heart,  that  we 
be  full  of  imperfections  :  Let  us  know  our  own  works 
of  what  imperfection  they  be,  and  then  we  shall  not 
stand  foolishly  and  arrogantly  in  our  own  conceits,  nor 
challenge  any  part  of  justification  by  our  merits  or 
works.  For  truly  there  be  imperfections  in  our  best 
works  :  We  do  not  love  God  so  much  as  we  are  bound 
24* 


882  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ta  do,  wit]i  all  our  heart,  mind,  and  power :  We  do 
not  fear  God  so  much  as  we  ought  to  do  :  We.  do  not 
pray  to  God,  but  with  great  and  many  imperfections : 
We  give,  forgive,  believe,  live,  and  hope  imperfectly : 
We  speak,  think,  and  do  imperfectly  :  We  fight  against 
the  devil,  the  world,  and  the  flesh  imperfectly :  Let 
us  therefore  not  be  ashamed  to  confess  imperfection 
even  in  all  our  best  works." 

Becon,  one  of  the  most  active  of  the  English  re- 
formers, g.nd  who,  by  his  writings,  contributed  much 
to  the  diffusion  of  the  Truth,  in  his  "  Dialogue  between 
the  Christian  Knight  and  Satan,"  makes  his  Christian 
warrior  say ;  "  In  myself  I  am  a  sinner,  but  in  Christ, 
ray  righteous  Maker,  I  am  righteous.  For  he  hath 
forgiven  me  all  my  sins  and  hath  taken  me  into  his 
grace,  favour,  and  tuition.  He  is  always  ready  to  help 
me  ;  he  forgiveth  me  the  remnant  of  my  sins,  and 
purgeth  them  in  me  daily,  till  he  make  me  altogether 
new.  Although  I  fulfill  not  the  commandments  of 
God  in  the  Law,  with  mine  own  works,  yet  I  fulfil 
them  in  the  Gospel  with  the  most  perfect  works,  and 
the  satisfaction  of  Christ,  in  whom  I  believe. — This 
faith  is  reckoned  to  me  unto  righteousness,  although 
my  works  of  themselves  be  imperfect.  All  these 
things  can  I  prove  by  the  Word  of  God. 

"  With  this  do  I  comfort  me  ;  I  have  sins  indeed, 
but  yet,  for  Christ's  sake,  in  whom  I  believe,  there  is 
f\o  condemnation  for  me.  The  Law  is  good  and  holy, 
but  it  can  justify  no  man.  It  cannot  change  our  stony 
heart,  or  give  us  a  softer  heart,  or  purify  our  sinful  na- 
ture and  renew  it,  ox  take  away  sins ;  this  the  Spirit 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  283 

of  Christ  alone  can  do.  In  myself  I  ami  a  sinner; 
but  this  is  not  to  walk,  after  the  flesh.  For  to  walk 
after,  the  flesh  is,  without  all  fear,  stubbornly  and 
proudly  to  fulfil  the  lusts  and  desires  of  the  flesh,  and 
all  that  our  sinful  nature  doth  desire,  and  of  itself  is 
bent  unto. — I  fall  indeed  into  sin,  but  yet  after  the  in- 
ward man  I  hate  sin  ;  I  desire  nothing  more  than  to 
be  clean,  and  utterly  delivered  from  sin  ;  and  I  am 
sorry,  even  from  the  very  heart,  that  I  have  sinned, 
and  do  sin  against  God.  I  cannot  of  mine  own  na- 
tural strength,  without  the  Spirit  of  God,  hate  sin  and 
resist  it,  seeing,  that  even  together  with  nature,  it  is 
born  into  the  world  with  me.  He,  that  hates  sin,  hath 
the  Spirit  of  Christ,  yea,  he  is  Christ's.  St.  Paul 
therefore  confesses  that  in  all  godly  persons  the  rem^ 
nants  of  sin  do  remain,  against  which  the  Spirit  strives. 
But  he  adds  words  full  of  high  consolation,  even  that 
for  all  this,  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them. — And 
this  privilege  and  prerogative  have  they  in  Christ,  tha^t 
Righteous  One,  in  whom  they  are  engrafted  through 
faith,  and  whose  merits  they  do  enjoy,  and  by  them 
are  saved  from  their  sins." 

Thus,  our  venerable  Reformers  were  experimentally 
taught  of  God  to  know  themselves,  as  well  as  to  un- 
derstand the  Truths  which  they  cheerfully  sealed 
with  their  blood.  Whilst  they  pressed  upon  men's 
consciences  the  absolute  necessity  of  universal  holi- 
ness, as  essential  unto  salvation  ;  saying  with  St.  Paul, 
*'  This  also  we  wish,  even  your  perfection :"  they  at 
the  same  time  declared  with  Solomon,  "  There  is  not 
a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  doeth  good  and  sinneth 


284  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

not ;"  "  Who  can  say,  I  have  made  my  heart  clean,  I 
am  pure  from  my  sin  ;"  and  with  St.  James,  "  In  many 
things  we  offend  all^  If  then  all,  even  the  best  of  us, 
are  conscious  of  so  many  slips  and  falls,  ought  it  not 
to  make  us  very  humble  and  modest  in  our  thoughts  of 
ourselves,  and  sparing  in  our  censures  of  others  ? 

Surely  spiritual  pride  cannot  luxuriate  in  such  a  soil 
as  this.  The  deeper  are  our  views  of  the  sin  that 
dwelleth  in  us,  the  more  humbly  we  shall  think  of  our- 
selves, and  the  more  gratefully  we  shall  prize  our  sal- 
vation by  Christ. 

What  St.  Paul  felt  in  his  own  experience,  he  strong- 
ly enforced  upon  others.  To  the  Christians  of  Galatia 
he  writes,  "  Walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfil 
the  lust  of  the  flesh.  For  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the 
Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  against  the  flesh,  and  these  are 
contrary,  the  one  to  the  other,  so  that  ye  cannot  do  the 
things  that  ye  would.  But  if  ye  be  led  of  the  Spirit, 
ye  are  not  under  the  Law.  If  we  live  in  the  Spirit, 
let  us  also  walk  in  the  Spirit."  This  is  true  blessed- 
ness, to  live  under  the  daily  influence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  through  his  power  to  overcome  the  lustings 
of  the  flesh. 

The  consciousness  of  indwelling  sin  made  the 
Apostle  say  to  the  Corinthians,  "  I  keep  under  my 
body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection,  lest  by  any  means, 
when  I  have  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a 
cast-away."  What  need  would  there  have  been  for 
this  self-government,  if  he  had  attained  to  a  state  of 
sinless  perfection  ? 

Were  sin  wholly  destroyed  in  the  hearts  of  believ- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  285 

ers,  and  in  consequence  of  this  happy  liberation  from 
evil,  were  they  delivered  from  the  fear  of  falling,  St. 
Paul  would  not  have  given  this  admonitory  exhortation 
to  the  Thessalonian  Christians ;  "  This  is  the  will  of 
God,  even  your  sanctification,  that  ye  should  abstain 
from  fornication  :  that  every  one  of  you  should  know 
how  to  possess  his  vessel  in  sanctification  and  honour, 
not  in  the  lust  of  concupiscence  even  as  the  Gentiles, 
which  know  not  God  :  for  God  hath  not  called  us  unto 
uncleanness,  but  unto  holiness."  The  knowledge 
where  his  strength  lay,  enabled  this  good  soldier  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  declare,  "  The  weapons  of  our  warfare 
are  not  carnal,  but  mighty,  through  God,  to  the  pulling 
down  of  strong-holds,  casting  down  imaginations,  and 
©very  high  thing  that  exalteth  itself  against  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  and  bringing  into  captivity  every  thought 
to  the  obedience  to  Christ." 

Satan,  taking  advantage  of  these  remnants  of  evil 
in  the  hearts  of  believers,  is  constantly  labouring  to 
excite  opposition  against  the  holy  principle  of  grace 
implanted  in  the  soul.  Hence  St.  Paul,  whose  care 
over  the  infant  churches  was  incessant,  thus  admon- 
ishes the  Christians  at  Ephesus  ;  "  My  brethren,  be 
strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might. 
Put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able 
to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil.  For  we  wres- 
tle not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  principali- 
ties, against  powers,  against  the  rulers  of  the  darkness 
of  this  world,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high 
places.     Wherefore,  take  unto  you  the  whole  armour 


286  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil 
day,  and  having  done  all,  to  stand." 

Believers  then  must  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  for  they 
have  to  encounter  a  mighty  adversary  in  an  evil  day. 
But  let  them  not  fear ;  for  through  the  power  of  Jesus 
they  shall  prevail,  since  He,  who  is  in  them,  is  greater 
than  he  that  is  in  the  world. 

As  a  father  exhorts  his  child,  so  does  the  tender- 
hearted Apostle  his  beloved  Timothy;  "My  son,  be 
strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Endure 
hardness,  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ."  And 
like  a  general,  experienced  in  this  holy  warfare,  he 
animates  the  Christians  at  Corinth  to  the  spiritual  com- 
bat ;  "  Watch  ye,  stand  fast  in  the  faith,  quit  you  like 
men,  be  strong." 

But  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?  What  feeble 
arm,  or  what  human  weapon  can  successfully  oppose 
the  powers  of  darkness  ;  He  who  calls  us  to  the 
combat,  opens  the  spiritual  armoury,  and  bids  us  equip 
ourselves  for  the  fight.  "  Stand,  therefore,"  says  the 
Apostle,  "  having  your  loins  girt  about  with  truth,  and 
having  on  the  breast-plate  of  righteousness  ;  and  your 
feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 
Above  all,  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith  ye 
shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wick- 
ed. And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  Word  of  God ;  praying  al- 
ways with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spirit, 
and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perseverance."  Be- 
ing himself  well  acquainted  with  the  efficacy  of  be- 
lieving prayer,  he  feelingly  adds,  "  And  supplication 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  287 

for  all  saints,  and  for  me,  that  utterance  may  be  given 
unto  me,  that  I  may  open  my  mouth  boldly  to  make 
known  the  mystery  of  the  Gospel,  for  which  I  am  an 
ambassador  in  bonds,  that  therein  I  may  speak  boldly, 
as  1  ought  to  speak." 

With  equal  force,  he  urges  on  the  Thessalonians  to 
spiritual  combat ; — "  Let  us,  who  are  of  the  day,  be 
sober,  putting  on  the  breast-plate  of  faith  and  love, 
and  for  an  helmet  the  hope  of  salvation."  How  in- 
vincible is  the  believer,  when  thus  clad.  And,  as  the 
hour  of  dissolution  advances,  how  unspeakably  bless- 
ed, when,  in  the  triumph  of  Christian  hope,  he  can 
exclaim,  "  O  death  where  is  thy  sting.  O  grave, 
where  is  thy  victory.  Thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth 
us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  May 
every  reader  experience  this  full  assurance  of  hope 
which  upheld  the  conquering  Apostle  while  passing 
through  the  deepest  waters,  and  which  cheered  his 
soul  in  the  darkest  seasons  of  affliction. 

Too  many  resemble  the  character  of  Pliable,  so  ad- 
mirably drawn  by  Bunyan  in  his  Pilgrim's  Progress. 
They  are  delighted  with  the  glowing  descriptions 
which  are  given  of  heaven  by  the  inspired  writers,  and 
long  to  behold  the  golden  streets,  the  pearly  gates,  the 
crystal  streams,  the  unwithering  tree  of  life,  and  all 
the  glories  which  compose  that  blissful  place.  But, 
when  they  fall  into  the  Slough  of  Despond,  that  mire 
of  inward  corruption,  with  which  they  were  hitherto 
unacquainted ;  and  have  to  struggle  with  doubts  and 
fears,  raised  by  Satan  and  their  own  unbelieving 
hearts ;    they    are    offended,   and    gladly  run    back 


288  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

again  into  the  world,  just  as  the  dog  returns  to  its 
vomit,  and  the  sow  that  was  washed  to  her  wallowing 
in  the  mire. 

The  true  believer,  on  the  contrary,  like  Christian, 
is  bent  upon  advancing  toward  the  wicket-Gate.  He 
is  escaping  for  his  life  from  the  City  of  Destruction, 
this  present  evil  world,  and  therefore  dares  not  tarry 
in  all  the  plain,  much  less  turn  back  to  the  place  from 
whence  he  came.  He  may,  for  a  time,  sink  deep  in 
desponding  fears,  arising  from  indwelling  sin  and  ob- 
scure views  of  the  grace  and  glory  of  Jesus,  but 
having  received  a  new  nature,  he  ardently  longs  after 
the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth 
righteousness.  He  cries  for  help,  and  help  is  vouch- 
safed from  the  Lord,  whose  well-timed  promises,  like 
the  steps  across  the  Slough  of  Despond,  support  his 
feet,  till  he  reaches  the  firm  ground  nearest  to  the 
Shining  Light,  and  thus  evidences  the  reality  of  his 
conversion  to  God.  Though  much  discouraged  be- 
cause of  the  way,  he  is  still  determined  to  persevere  ; 
and,  obtaining  a  clearer  view  of  the  cross  of  Christ 
by  the  exercise  of  a  stronger  faith,  every  spiritual 
blessing  is  imparted  to  him,  and  he  finally  enters  with 
joy  into  the  Celestial  City. 

The  amiable  and  pious  Leighton  has  forcibly  des- 
cribed this  chequered  experience  of  the  true  believer, 
which  is  so  compounded  of  joy  and  sorrow. 

"  Inward  corruptions,"  as  he  truly  observes,  "  clog 
and  trouble  the  believer,  and  he  cannot  shake  them  off 
nor  prevail  against  them,  without  much  pains,  many 
prayers,   and   tears. — And  many  times,  after  much 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  289 

wrestling,  he  scarcely  finds  that  he  hath  gained 
ground  ;  yea,  sometimes  he  is  foiled,  and  cast  down  by 
them ;  and  so  in  all  other  duties,  such  a  fighting  and 
continued  combat  with  a  revolting  backsliding  heart, 
the  flesh  pulling  and  dragging  downwards.  When 
he  would  mount  up,  he  finds  himself  as  a  bird  with  a 
stone  tied  to  its  foot ;  hath  wings  that  flutter  to  be  up- 
wards, but  is  pressed  down  with  the  weight  fastened 
to  him.  What  struggling  with  wanderings,  and  dead- 
ness  in  hearing,  and  reading,  and  prayer. 

*'  How  much  pain  to  attain  any  thing,  any  particular 
grace  of  humility,  or  meekness,  or  self-denial :  and  if 
any  thing  be  attained,  how  hard  to  keep  and  maintain 
it  against  the  contrary  party.  How  often  are  the 
righteous  driven  back  to  their  old  point ! 

"  If  they  do  but  cease  from  striving  a  little,  they 
are  carried  back  by  the  stream ;  and  what  returns  of 
doubtings  and  mischief,  after  they  thought  they  were 
got  somewhat  above  them :  insomuch  that  they  are  at 
the  point  of  giving  over,  and  thinking  it  will  never  do 
for  them.  And  yet,  through  all  these,  they  are  brought 
safe  home.  There  is  another  strength  which  bears 
them  up,  and  brings  them  through ;  but  these  things, 
and  many  more  of  this  nature,  argue  the  difiiculty  of 
their  course,  and  that  it  is  not  so  easy  to  come  to 
heaven  as  most  imagine." 

The  heavenly-minded  Leighton,  no  doubt,  included 
himself  in  this  experience  of  the  righteous,  though 
Bishop  Burnet  has  left  his  record  of  his  superior 
sanctity ;  "  I  can  say  with  great  truth,  that  in  a  free 
and  frequent  conversation  with  him,  for  above  two  and 
25 


290  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

twenty  years,  I  never  knew  him  speak  an  idle  word, 
that  had  not  a  direct  tendency  to  edification ;  and  I 
never  once  saw  him  in  any  other  temper,  but  that  in 
which  I  wished  to  be  in  the  last  minutes  of  my  life." 

If  then,  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved :  if  so 
many  sufferings,  temptations,  and  difficulties  surround 
their  path  ;  if  so  many  enemies  are  up  in  arms  to  im- 
pede their  progress :  and  so  much  evil  still  remains 
from  the  fleshy  principle  within ;  requiring  incessant 
watchfulness  and  prayer :  where  shall  the  sinner  and 
the  ungodly  appear  1  Awful  indeed  will  be  the  end 
of  those,  who  have  either  rejected  or  neglected  the 
grace  of  God,  so  freely  offered  in  the  Gospel  of  his 
Son. 

There  are,  it  is  true,  many  shades  of  character, 
some  darker  and  some  fainter,  but  still  they  are  shades 
of  evil. 

The  Bible  speaks  of  no  middle  character,  no  neu- 
tral state  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked.  We 
must  be  either  believers  or  unbelievers,  saints  or  sin- 
ners, the  friends  or  the  enemies  of  Christ.  We  can- 
not serve  God  and  Mammon.  The  line  of  demarca- 
tion between  the  true  Church  and  the  world,  is  broad- 
ly and  distinctly  drawn  in  the  Word  of  God.  The 
blessed  Jesus  hath  declared,  "  He  that  is  not  with  me 
is  against  me."  This  important  distinction  was  also 
clearly  made  when  the  gracious  commission  was  given 
to  Paul  at  the  period  of  his  conversion :  "  Now  1  send 
thee  to  the  Gentiles,  to  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn 
them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of 
Satan  unto  God." 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  291 

This  transforming  power  accompanied  the  preaching 
of  the  Apostle.  Hence  he  could  say  to  the  Ephesians, 
**  Ye  were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now  are  ye  light 
in  the  Lord,  walk  as  children  of  light."  Also,  to  the 
Thessalonians,  "  Ye  are  all  the  children  of  light,  and 
the  children  of  the  day ;  we  are  not  of  the  night,  nor 
of  darkness." 

Clemens,  of  Alexandria,  gives  this  short  account  of 
the  primitive  Christians ;  "  As  the  fairest  possession 
we  give  up  ourselves  to  God,  entirely  loving  him,  and 
reckoning  this  the  great  business  of  our  lives.  No 
man  is  with  us  a  Christian,  or  accounted  truly  rich, 
temperate,  and  generous,  but  he  that  is  pious  and  re- 
ligious ;  nor  does  any  further  bear  the  image  of  God, 
than  he  speaks  and  believes  what  is  just  and  holy. 
So  that  this,  in  short,  is  the  state  of  us  who  follow 
God  :  such  as  are  our  desires,  such  are  our  discourses ; 
such  as  our  discourses,  such  are  our  actions ;  such  as 
are  our  actions,  such  is  our  life :  so  universally  good 
is  the  Whole  life  of  Christians." — Certainly  none  were 
ever  greater  enemies  to  a  naked  profession,  and  the 
covering  a  bad  life  under  the  title  of  Christianity,  than 
these  early  followers  of  the  Saviour.  ') 

Do  any  live  otherwise  than  Christ  hath  command- 
ed, it  is  a  most  certain  argument  that  they  are  no  Chris- 
tians, though  with  their  tongue  they  smoothly  profess 
the  Christian  doctrines ;  for  not  mere  professors,  but 
those  who  live  according  to  their  profession,  shall  be 
saved. — So  careful  were  the  primitive  believers  to 
avoid  all  sin,  that  they  stood  at  the  greatest  distance 
&om  any  thing,  however  lawful  in  itself,  which  seem- 


292  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ed  to  bear  the  appearance  of  evil,  or  which  might  of- 
fend the  weakest  of  their  brethren. 

"  Who,"  says  St.  Clement,  in  his  Epistle  to  the 
Corinthians,  "  that  has  ever  been  among  you,  has  not 
experienced  the  firmness  of  your  faith,  and  its  fruitful- 
uess  in  all  good  works, — and  admired  the  temper  and 
moderation  of  your  religion  in  Christ  ?  Ye  were  all 
of  you  humble  minded,  not  boasting  of  any  thing ;  de- 
siring rather  to  be  subject  than  to  govern ;  to  give 
than  to  receive ;  being  content  with  the  portion  God 
hath  dispensed  to  you : — and  hearkening  diligently  to 
his  Word,  ye  were  enlarged  in  your  bowels,  having 
his  sufferings  always  before  your  eyes.  Thus,  a  firm 
and  blessed,  and  profitable  peace  was  given  unto  you  ; 
and  an  inestimable  desire  of  doing  good  ;  and  a  plen- 
tiful effusion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was  upon  all  of  you. 
Ye  were  sincere  and  without  offence  towards  each 
other ;  not  mindful  of  injuries  ;  all  sedition  and  schism 
was  an  abomination  unto  you : — Ye  bewailed  every 
one  his  neighbour's  sins,  esteeming  their  defects  your 
own  : — ^ye  were  kind  one  to  another  without  grudging, 
being  ready  to  every  good  work : — and  being  adorned 
with  a  conversation  altogether  virtuous  and  religious, 
ye  did  all  things  in  the  fear  of  God,  whose  command- 
ments were  written  upon  the  table  of  your  hearts." 

Such  was  the  lovely  portrait,  drawn  by  the  early 
Fathers  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  those  days,  re- 
ligion consisted  not  in  talking  finely,  but  in  living  welL 
We,  alas !  are  not  now,  what  these  primitive  Chris- 
tians were — ^burning  and  shining  lights.  The  lamen- 
tation  of  the  prophet  is  sadly  too  descriptive  of  cwir 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  293 

State ; — "  Our  silver  is  become  dross  and  our  wine  is 
mixed  with  water."  The  world  has  tainted  the  Church 
by  its  unhallowed  admixture. — Where  is  the  simpli- 
city, the  self-denial,  the  zeal,  the  entire  devotedness  of 
these  first  Christians  to  be  found?  Certainly  not 
among  the  great  mass  of  religious  professors. — Long- 
continued  prosperity  has  induced  a  spirit  of  slumber. 
The  visible  Church  planted  in  these  kingdoms  has  had 
a  long  season  of  repose.  No  storm  of  violent  perse- 
cution has  been  permitted  to  assail  it.  We  have  grown 
up  within  its  bosom  during  a  period  of  religious  liberty 
unknown  to  former  ages.  From  our  infancy  we  have 
heard,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  the  glorious  truths 
of  the  Gospel.  They  have  become  familiar  to  our 
ears,  but  they  have  not  proportion  ably  affected  our 
hearts.  Hence,  without  considering  what  is  the  na- 
ture, the  operation,  and  the  requirements  of  the  Gos- 
pel, we  have  substituted  the  form  for  the  power,  the 
notion  for  the  spirit  of  Christianity ;  contenting  our- 
selves with  the  circumstance  of  being  born  in  a  Chris- 
tian country,  and  belonging  to  a  Christian  Church ;  as 
if  the  initiatory  rite  of  baptism  would  amply  secure 
our  admission  into  heaven. 

Without  any  breach  of  that  charity  which  hopeth 
all  things,  we  are  compelled  to  declare  this  painful 
truth :  that  thousands  who  are  moral,  and  regular  in 
all  the  outward  duties  and  decencies  of  religion,  are 
still  as  far  distant  from  the  spirit  and  practice,  the 
principles  and  feelings,  of  the  true  believer,  as  the 
East  is  from  the  West. 

Do  any  startle  at  this  plain  assertion  ? — Where,  I 
25* 


294  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

would  ask,  is  their  deep  contrition,  their  sincere  re- 
pentance, their  hatred  of  sin,  their  application  to  the 
Saviour,  their  love  to  his  name,  their  delight  in  his 
service,  their  attachment  to  his  people,  their  self-deny- 
ing obedience,  their  renunciation  of  the  world,  their 
patience  under  suffering  for  the  Gospel's  sake  ? 
Where,  in  short,  is  the  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus  to 
be  seen  in  them  1  It  has  no  existence.  They  have  a 
name  to  live,  being  called  Christians,  and  professing 
to  believe  in  Jesus,  but  they  are  dead.  The  general 
truths  of  the  Gospel  may  dwell  in  their  understand- 
ings, but  they  have  no  abiding  place  in  their  hearts. 
They  may  make  them  moral,  but  they  do  not  transform 
their  souls  into  the  holy  image  of  Christ.  The  Apos- 
tle has  well  described  the  character  of  these  nominal 
Christians  : — "  They  profess  that  they  know  God,  but 
in  works  deny  him.  They  have  the  form  of  godliness, 
but  deny  the  power  thereof." 

These  are  the  persons  who,  frequenting  the  House 
of  God,  sneer  at  conscientious  piety,  and  sarcastically 
pity  the  weakness  of  "  the  saints^  Yet,  they  have 
full  confidence  in  the  mercy  of  God,  and  deem  it  most 
uncharitable,  even  to  breathe  a  hint  that  they  are  in 
danger  of  eternal  perdition.  But,  when  death  seizes 
upon  them,  when  the  world  is  found  to  be  an  idol 
which  cannot  save,  and  worldly  friends  but  miserable 
comforters  :  when  conscience  fastens  upon  them  as  its 
prey,  and  tears  their  souls  with  inconceivable  anguish, 
(awful  presage  of  the  worm  that  never  dies  ;)  O  what 
would  ihey  not  give  for  that  sweet  assurance  of  hope, 
that  real  Christianity ^  which  supports  and  gladdens  the 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  295 

despised  believer,  as  he  passes  through  the  cold  stream 
of  death  to  his  eternal  rest.  Unbelief  blinds  their 
minds,  and  hardens  their  hearts.  While  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  health  and  plenty,  they  can  sport  with  thought- 
less gaity  on  the  brink  of  hell.  The  sun  of  prosperi- 
ty shines  upon  them,  and  all  around  is  pleasant. 
Then  why  should  they  forebode  the  death-bearing 
storm,  or  sigh  in  the  midst  of  laughter  ?  Sickness  or 
poverty,  in  their  estimation,  is  the  proper  time  for  re- 
flection, because  at  such  gloomy  seasons,  the  opportu- 
nities for  pleasure  are  gone.  They  may,  perhaps,  be 
induced  to  bestow  a  few  thoughts  upon  serious  things, 
but  they  never  do  it  with  a  serious  spirit.  At  the  grave 
of  some  beloved  friend,  they  drop  the  tear  of  afi'ection, 
and  for  the  moment  feel  the  vanity  of  earthly  things ; 
but  soon,  the  tide  of  occupation  and  of  pleasure  re- 
turns, and  the  faint  impression  is  obliterated  from  their 
minds. 

Like  Felix,  they  dismiss,  as  soon  as  possible,  the 
unwelcome  visitor,  and  quiet  their  consciences  by  this 
message,  "  When  I  have  a  more  convenient  season  I 
will  call  for  thee."  Have  we  never  imitated  Felix  in 
his  dangerous  procrastination  1  When  will  this  more 
convenient  season  arrive?  Will  to-morrow  find  us 
more  disposed  to  repent  than  to-day  ?  As  we  grow  in 
years,  will  our  hearts  grow  softer,  or  the  world  less 
powerful  in  its  influence  over  us  ? — Nay,  may  not  the 
same  motives  which  occasion  our  delay  to-day,  prevail 
with  us  on  the  morrow,  to  procrastinate  till  the  day 
ensuing,  and  thus  lead  us  onwards  to  the  verge  of  life, 
unprepared  to  meet  our  God  ? 


296  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

O  how  awfully  great  is  our  insensibility  to  eternal 
things.  Rising  from  their  beds  in  the  vigour  of  health, 
what  numbers  have  been  struck  by  the  dart  of  death, 
and  hurried,  in  a  few  hours,  into  the  presence  of  their 
Judge.  This  day  may  be  mir  last.  What  season  then 
so  convenient  as  the  present?  Other  opportunities 
may  be  less  favourable  ;  none  can  be  more  advantage- 
ous :  for  now  is  the  accepted  time  ;  now  is  the  day  of 
salvation.  Now  the  door  of  mercy  stands  open,  but 
it  will  shortly  be  shut.  Now  the  sceptre  of  mercy  is 
held  out,  but  soon  it  will  become  a  rod  of  vengeance. 
Now  we  hear  the  voice  of  love,  but  ere  long  we  shall 
behold  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb.  Now  the  invitation  is 
"  Come  unto  me  and  I  will  give  you  rest ;"  speedily 
we  shall  hear  in  dreadful  thunder,  "  Depart,  ye  cursed, 
into  everlasting  fire."  O  that  every  slumbering  sinner 
may  be  aroused  to  a  sense  of  his  danger.  Hath  God 
said,  "  My  Spirit  shall  not  always  strive  with  man ;" 
hath  He  pronounced  his  righteous  judgment  upon  pro- 
crastinating sinners,  "  Because  I  have  called,  and  ye 
refused,  I  have  stretched  out  my  hand,  and  no  man  re- 
garded, I  will  also  laugh  at  your  calamity,  I  will  mock 
when  your  fear  cometh," — then  let  us  tremble,  lest  His 
insulted  and  grieved  Spirit  should  never  more  vouch- 
safe his  convictions  ;  lest  this  awful  seal  of  perdition 
should  be  placed  upon  us,  "  Ephraira  is  joined  to  idols, 
let  him  alone." 

While  in  the  pursuit  of  earthly  things,  or  distracted 
by  worldly  cares,  what  thousands  are  deceived  through 
the  subtlety  of  Satan  to  their  eternal  ruin.  They  in- 
tend to  repent,  and  are  resolved  to  be  godly.     They 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  297 

resolve,  and  re-resolve,  and  die  the  same.  Blest  with 
a  profusion  of  worldly  good,  which  a  bounteous  Prov- 
idence has  heaped  upon  them,  what  multitudes  of  pro- 
fessing Christians  are  thus  unmindful  of  the  Giver  of 
their  mercies,  forgetful  of  their  responsibilities,  neg- 
lectful of  their  souls,  yea  more,  rejecters  of  Him  who 
died  to  save  them,  who  is  even  now  waiting  to  be  gra- 
cious, who  calls  to  them  by  his  ministers,  who  invites 
them  by  his  Word,  who  strives  with  them  by  his  Spirit. 

Should  any  one  cast  his  eyes  upon  these  humble 
pages,  whose  conscience  bears  testimony  to  the  truth 
of  these  reflections,  I  pray  that  the  Divine  Spirit  of  all 
grace,  may  bless  the  faithful  admonition  to  his  heart. 
O  that  these  solemn  truths  may  be  received  in  the 
same  spirit  of  love  in  which  they  were  written ;  for, 
as  "  the  ear  that  heareth  the  reproof  of  life  abideth 
among  the  wise  ;" — so,  "  he  that  hateth  reproof  shall 
die."  Whatever  human  reason  may  suggest  as  the 
way  to  heaven,  the  Bible  plainly  declares,  that,  there 
is  no  salvation  for  sinners  but  through  the  mercy  of 
God  in  Jesus  Christ ;  and  no  other  way  of  coming  to 
Christ,  as  a  Saviour,  but  by  believing  ori  him :  that, 
faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  the  work  of  his  Spirit  in  our 
hearts  :  and  that,  for  this  inestimable  blessing,  we  must 
pray  without  ceasing. 

To  encourage  us  to  the  performance  of  this  duty, 
with  what  inimitable  tenderness  has  Jesus  appealed 
to  our  hearts :  "  If  ye,  being  evil  know  how  to  give 
good  gifts  unto  your  children,  how  much  more  shall 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven,  give  good  things  to 
them  that  ask  him." 


298  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

Can  we  remain  insensible  to  this  inconceivable  lov- 
ing-kindness of  our  God  and  Saviour  ? 

God  is  love,  and  has  manifested  his  love  towards  us, 
by  sending  his  only-begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that 
we  might  live  through  him. 

God  is  love,  and  hath  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of 
the  wicked.  How  importunate  are  his  calls  of  mer- 
cy : — "  Why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel  ?  Wilt 
thou  not  be  made  clean  ?  When  shall  it  once  be  ?  O 
Jerusalem,  wash  thine  heart  from  wickedness,  that  thou 
mayest  be  saved.  How  long  shall  thy  vain  thoughts 
lodge  within  thee  ?  I,  even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out 
thy  transgressions  for  mine  own  sake,  and  will  not 
remember  thy  sins.  Put  me  in  remembrance  :  let  us 
plead  together ;  declare  thou,  that  thou  mayest  be  jus- 
tified." 

May  this  exhibition  of  redeeming  love  soften  our 
hearts,  and  lead  us  to  the  mercy-seat  where  God  wait- 
eth  to  be  gracious.  There,  with  an  earnestness  of  de- 
sire, and  deep  feeling  of  our  need,  let  us  ask,  that  we 
may  receive :  seek  that  we  may  find,  knock  that  it 
may  be  opehed.  "  For  this,"  says  St.  John,  "  is  the 
confidence  that  we  have  in  him,  that,  if  we  ask  any 
thing  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us  :  and  if  we 
know  that  he  hear  us,  whatsoever  we  ask,  we  know 
that  we  have  the  petitions  that  we  desired  of  him." 

"  Why  should  earthly  beauties  tear  me 
From  the  fountain  of  all  bliss, 
From  that  Lord,  who  waits  to  bear  me 
To  a  happier  land  than  this  7 

"  Faith  already  seems  beginning 
To  approach  that  land  of  rest, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  299 

« 

Where  I  shall  have  done  with  sinning 
And  with  endless  peace  be  blest. 

'Hasting  to  those  heav'nly  treasures, 

Meaner  joys  I  leave  behind ; 
Earth  with  all  its  boasted  pleasures, 

Shall  not  move  my  steadfast  mind." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

St.  Paul's  sources  of  consolation  : — the  covenant 

TITLES    of    JEHOVAH, THE    IMMUTABILITY    OF    THE 

DIVINE    COUNSEL, THE    SUFFICIENCY  OF    THE    SAV- 

IOUr's  grace, THE  EFFICACY  OF  HIS  POWER, THE 

ASSURANCE  OF  FUTURE  GLORY. 

Nothing  can  be  more  interesting  to  a  Christian,  whose 
heart  is  filled  with  holy  love,  than  the  contemplation 
of  the  Divine  Perfections,  as  displayed  in  our  redemp- 
tion by  Jesus  Christ ;  and  of  that  work  of  grace,  which 
is  wrought  in  the  heart  of  the  sinner,  through  the  pow- 
er of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Well  might  David  strike  his  harp  with  joyful  notes  : 
"  I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as  I  live  ;  I  will 
sing  praise  to  my  God,  while  I  have  my  being.  My 
meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet.  I  will  be  glad  in 
the  Lord." 

Every  other  subject  is  light  and  trifling  compared 
with  this  ;  for,  however  wonderful  are  the  works  of 
God,  He,  who  made  them,  must  infinitely  surpass  them 
all  in  glory.  The  works  of  the  Lord  are  great,  sought 
out  of  all  them  that  have  pleasure  therein."  But, 
"  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised  ;  and  his 
greatness  is  unsearchable." 

What  can  be  more  ennobling  to  the  soul  of  man, 
than  spiritual  meditations  on  that  Infinite  Being,  who 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  301 

made,  redeemed,  and  sanctified  us;  whose  watchful 
care  ever  protects  us,  and  whose  love  is  engaged  to 
preserve  and  bless  us. 

O !  how  delightful  is  the  thought,  that  he  who  in- 
habiteth  eternity,  who  clotheth  himself  with  light  as 
with  a  garment,  who  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind, 
before  whom  all  nations  are  less  than  nothing  and  va- 
nity, who  beholdeth,  at  one  glance^  all  things  past,  pre- 
sent, and  to  come,  is  our  Father  and  our  Friend. 

What  can  harm  us,  while  sheltered  under  his  wing? 
What  can  grieve  us,  while  dwelling  beneath  his  smile  ? 
He,  who  ruleth  over  all  worlds,  has  promised  to  make 
all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love 
him.  If  we  love  God,  he  will  make  good  this  sweet 
promise  even  unto  us. 

How  secure,  how  peaceful,  how  blessed,  is  the  true 
believer  in  Jesus.  His  heart  can  joyfully  respond  to 
these  soul-reviving  questions  of  the  Apostle  ;  "  If  God 
be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  He  that  spared  not 
his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall 
he  not  with  him  also  freely  give  us  all  things  ?  Who 
shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  It  is 
Christ  that  died  ;  yea,  rather  that  is  risen  again,  who 
is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  in- 
tercession for  us.  Who  shall  separate  us  from  the  love 
of  Christ  ? — Shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecu- 
tion, or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword  ?  Nay, 
in  all  these  things,  we  are  more  than  conquerors 
through  him  that  loved  us." 

With  an  eye  fixed  on  the  everlasting  Covenant,  the 
Apostle    rose    superior  to  every  misgiving   feeling. 
26 


302  '     CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Happy  Paul,  who  in  the  fulness  of  faith  could  thus 
triumph  in  Christ.  When  assailed  by  inward  tempta- 
tions and  outward  trials,  can  we  strike  a  chord  in 
unison  with  his,  and  in  the  full  assurance  of  hope,  ex- 
claim, amid  threatening  dangers,  "  I  am  persuaded  that 
neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities, 
nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come, 
nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be 
able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord."  O  glorious  triumph  of  faith! 
Well  might  Jesus  say,  "  Let  not  your  heart  be  trou- 
bled, neither  let  it  be  afraid."  As  there  is  no  condem- 
nation, so  there  shall  be  no  separation  between  Christ 
and  his  people.  Their  union  is  firm  as  the  everlasting 
hills — and  unending  as  the  days  of  eternity.  What 
then  can  exceed  the  blessedness  arising  from  a  firm 
hold  on  the  promises  of  God  in  Christ  ?  All  earthly 
supports  shall  finally  forsake  us,  but  the  Word  of 
Christ  will  never  fail.  He  has  himself  given  us  this 
blessed  assurance  ;  "  Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass 
away,  but  my  words  shall  not  pass  away."  Must  it  not 
then  be  dishonouring  to  Jesus,  for  one  moment  to  doubt 
his  word,  which  is  firm  as  the  everlasting  pillars 
which  support  his  throne. 

Earth  would  once  more  resemble  Paradise,  did  the 
glorious  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  produce  its  full  eflfect 
on  every  heart.  The  religion  of  Jesus  is  a  religion  of 
love  ;  and  love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbour.  It  is 
a  religion  of  peace,  and  peace  would  convert  spears 
into  ploughshares.  It  is  a  religion  of  purity,  and  purity 
would  banish  every  unclean  passion  from  the  earth. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  303 

To  extend  the  blessings  of  this  heavenly  religion 
was  the  heart's  desire  of  St.  Paul ;  to  make  known  its 
riches  was  his  delight,  though  his  efforts  were  too  often 
repaid  by  ingratitude,  and  attended  with  unnumbered 
sufferings. 

Earth  will  not  always  groan  under  the  weight  of  sin, 
as  now  alas  it  does !  The  page  of  prophecy  unfolds  an 
age  of  brightness  to  our  view,  when  the  knowledge  of 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters 
cover  the  channels  of  the  sea ;  when  the  wolf  and  thQ 
lamb  shall  feed  together  ;  and  when  they  shall  not  hurt 
nor  destroy  in  all  God's  holy  mountain.  Then  truth 
shall  spring  out  of  the  earth,  and  righteousness  shall  look 
down  from  heaven.  Violence  shall  no  more  be  heard 
in  our  land ;  neither  wasting  nor  destruction  within  our 
borders ;  for  the  Lord  shall  be  our  everlasting  light, 
and  the  days  of  our  mourning  shall  be  ended.  His 
people  shall  be  all  righteous,  they  shall  inherit  the 
land  for  ever,  that  he  may  be  glorified. 

Blessed  Jesus !  why  are  thy  chariot  wheels  so  long 
in  coming?  Make  haste,  my  Beloved,  and  be  thou 
like  to  a  roe  or  to  a  young  hart  upon  the  mountains  of 
spices.  Thou  hast  said,  "  Surely  I  come  quickly. 
Amen.     Even  so,  come.  Lord  Jesus." 

How  truly  wonderful  is  the  Spirit's  operation  in  the 
heart  of  the  believer.  The  more  we  meditate  upon  it 
as  exhibited  in  the  character  and  experience  of  the 
great  Apostle,  the  more  we  shall  admire  the  wisdom, 
power,  and  love,  which  shone  forth  in  his  conversion 
and  establishment  in  the  faith.  His  whole  experience 
is  profitable  to  us.     We  behold  successively  his  con- 


304  CHRISTIAN     EXPERIENCE. 

flicts,  comforts,  and  his  conquests.  Perhaps  no  man 
ever  suffered  more  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  enjoyed  more 
abundant  consolations,  or  obtained  more  glorious  victo- 
ries over  the  powers  of  darkness. 

We  have  already  seen  an  ample  detail  of  his  trials, 
as  recorded  by  himself;  trials  which  would  have 
daunted  the  most  courageous,  unaided  by  strength  from 
above. 

With  beautiful  humility,  so  characteristic  of  his 
mind,  he  says  to  the  Corinthians,  "  Jesus  was  seen  of 
me,  as  of  one  born  out  of  due  time  ;  for  1  am  the  least 
of  the  Apostles,  that  am  not  meet  to  be  called  an  Apos- 
tle, because  I  persecuted  the  Church  of  God,  but  I 
laboured  more  abundantly  than  they  all,  yet  not  I,  but 
the  grace  of  God  which  was  with  me."  So  careful 
was  this  holy  man  to  place  the  crown  of  glory  upon 
the  head  of  Jesus,  whose  power  and  love  had  been 
magnified  in  his  conversion  to  the  faith  which  once  he 
destroyed. 

The  consideration  of  those  sources  of  consolation, 
from  whence  he  derived  so  much  joy,  and  which  sus- 
tained him  under  the  vicissitudes  of  his  eventful  life, 
will  afford  another  proof  of  the  blessedness  of  faith  in 
Christ.  During  his  abode  at  Corinth,  at  Jerusalem, 
and  while  traversing  the  ocean  on  his  voyage  to  Rome^ 
this  faithful  servant  of  Christ  was  favoured  with  en- 
couraging visions.  "  I  am  with  thee,"  were  words  of 
unspea^kable  comfort,  when  spoken  in  the  hour  of  trial 
by  the  Saviour  whom  he  loved. 

The  titles  which  are  given  to  the  Almighty  in  hii 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  306 

Epistles  to  the  different  churches,  contain  within  them 
the  sweetest  consolation. 

When  exhorting  the  Christians  at  Corinth,  he  says, 
"  Finally,  brethren  farewell.  Be  perfect,  be  of  good 
comfort,  be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God 
of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you." 

To  the  Romans  he  writes,  "Now  the  God  of  pa- 
tience and  consolation  grant  you  to  be  like-minded  one 
toward  another,  according  to  Christ  Jesus,  that  ye  may 
with  one  mind,  and  one  mouth,  glorify  God,  even  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  God  of  hope  fill 
you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing,  that  ye  may 
abound  in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

In  the  fulness  of  his  heart,  he  breaks  forth  into  a 
song  of  praise  ;  "  Blessed  be  God,  even  the  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies  and 
the  God  of  all  comfort,  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our 
tribulation,  that  we  may  be  able  to  comfort  them  which 
are  in  any  trouble,  by  the  comfort  wherewith  we  our- 
selves are  comforted  of  God ;  for  as  the  sufferings  of 
Christ  abound  in  us,  so  our  consolation  also  aboundeth 
by  Christ." 

How  endearing  is  the  view  here  afforded  us  of  our 
Almighty  Creator  ;  how  blessed  is  the  assurance  of 
his  good- will  toward  us  through  Christ  Jesus. 

It  is  peculiarly  affecting  to  the  heart  of  every  con- 
trite believer  to  be  thus  privileged  to  call  upon  his  God 
as, — the  God  of  love  and  peace,— the  God  of  patience 
and  consolation, — the  God  of  hope, — the  Father  of 
mercies, — and  the  God  of  all  comfort.  0  that  we  could 
26* 


306  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

feel  the  overflowings  of  gratitude  for  such  super-abun- 
dant grace. 

Nothing  more  awfully  manifests  the  hardness  of  the 
heart,  than  insensibility  to  the  loving-kindness  of  God, 
whose  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works,  and 
whose  very  chastisements  are  blessings  in  disguise. 

The  heart  of  St.  Paul  was  deeply  impressed  by  a 
view  of  the  Divine  Goodness.  This  made  him  ex- 
claim,— "  0  the  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and 
height  of  the  love  of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge." 
To  the  wicked,  he  put  this  awakening  question  ;  "  Des- 
pisest  thou  the  riches  of  his  goodness,  and  forbear- 
ance, and  long-suffering :  not  knowing  that  the  good- 
ness of  God  leadeth  thee  to  repentance  ?"  To  the 
righteous,  he  used  this  affectionate  entreaty ;  "  I  be- 
seech you,  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God, 
that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy,  ac- 
ceptable unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable  service." 

This  view  and  these  feelings  of  a  Saviour's  love, 
enabled  him  to  console  the  suffering  saints.  He 
could  speak  from  sweet  experience  both  of  mercy  and 
judgment. 

To  the  Christians  at  Corinth,  the  comforted  Apostle 
thus  unfolded  the  divine  dealings,  "  Whether  we  be 
afflicted  it  is  for  your  consolation  and  salvation,  which 
is  effectual  in  the  enduring  of  the  same  sufferings 
which  we  also  suffer  :  or  whether  we  be  comforted,  it 
is  for  your  consolation  and  salvation  :  and  our  hope  of 
you  is  stedfast,  knowing  that  as  ye  are  partakers  of 
the  suff'erings,  so  shall  ye  also  be  of  the  consolation." 

Blessed  indeed  is   that   shepherd,  who  can   thus 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  S07 

Strengthen  the  faith,  and  encourage  the  hope  of  his 
flock,  by  revealing  to  them  the  sources  of  his  own  con- 
solation, and  by  leading  them  into  the  green  pastures, 
and  beside  the  still  waters  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

It  is  the  will  of  God,  that  in  every  thing  we  should 
give  thanks  ;  that  we  should  glory  in  tribulation  ;  and 
count  it  all  joy  when  we  fall  into  divers  temptations, 
knowing  this,  that  the  trying  of  our  faith  worketh  pa- 
tience. But  alas!  we  live  very  much  below  our  duty 
and  our  privileges.  We  love  ease  and  an  exemption 
from  trial ;  we  shrink  from  suffering,  and  cannot  bear 
the  weight  and  shame  of  the  cross.  And  why  are  we 
thus  ?  Because  the  world  has  struck  its  roots  into  our 
hearts,  which,  like  the  deadly  cancer,  is  consuming 
the  vital  principle. 

The  deeply-tried  Apostle  had  to  weep  over  one, 
whom  he  once  reckoned  among  the  saints  : — "  Demas 
has  forsaken  me,  having  loved  this  present  world." 
Jesus  also  gave  this  solemn  warning,  "Remember 
Lot's  wife.** 

May  the  all-gracious  Spirit  revive  his  work,  as  in 
the  days  of  old,  lest  our  end  should  resemble  that  of 
the  seven  churches,  to  whom  St.  John  delivered  the 
Saviour's  rebuke,  and  from  whom  the  light  of  evangeli- 
cal truth  has  long  been  removed. 


The  foundation  of  all  that  spiritual  joy  which  ani- 
mated the  breast  of  St.  Paul,  was  the  immutahility  of 
the  Divine  Counsel.  God's  faithfulness  was  his  best  se- 
curity.   He  knew  whom  he  had  believed,  and  through 


308  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

grace,  enjoyed  the  full  assurance  of  hope.  This  bless- 
ed truth  the  Apostle  admirably  unfolded  to  the  Hebrew 
converts,  to  promote  their  stability  in  the  faith : — "  God, 
willing  more  abundantly  to  show  unto  the  heirs  of  pro- 
mise the  immutability  of  his  counsel,  confirmed  it  by 
an  oath,  that  by  two  immutable  things,  in  which  it  was 
impossible  for  God  to  lie,  we  might  have  strong  con- 
solation, who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  upon  the 
hope  set  before  us,  which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor 
of  the  soul,  both  sure  and  stedfast,  and  which  enter- 
eth  into  that  within  the  veil,  whither  the  forerunner  is 
for  us  entered,  even  Jesus,  made  an  High-Priest  for 
ever  after  the  order  of  Melchisedec." 

Our  finite  capacities  cannot  comprehend  the  fulness 
of  grace  which  is  contained  in  these  sublime  words ; 
for,  "  Who  hath  known  the  mind  of  the  Lord,  or  who 
hath  been  his  counsellor  1" 

We  must  die,  to  know  the  vast  extent  of  redeeming 
love.  Here,  we  can  only  see  as  through  a  glass  darkly, 
but  in  heaven  we  shall  have  a  full  view  of  that  cove- 
nant of  peace,  which  is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting. 

How  wonderful  is  the  divine  condescension.  Sure- 
ly a  simple  promise  from  the  lips  of  Eternal  Truth  ought 
to  fill  our  hearts  with  joy.  But  so  slow  of  heart  are 
we  to  believe  all  that  the  Lord  hath  spoken,  and  so 
weak  is  our  faith  in  seasons  of  darkness,  that  God, 
willing  more  abundantly  to  show  unto  the  heirs  of  prom- 
ise the  immutability  of  his  counsel,  confirmed  it  by  au 
oath.  Thus,  when  God  made  promise  to  Abraham, 
because  he  could  swear  by  no  greater,  he  sware  by 
Himself,  saying,  "  Surely  blessing,  I  will  bless  thee, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  309 

and  multiplying,  I  will  multiply  thee."     And  so,  after 
he  had  patiently  endured,  he  obtained  the  promise. 

Can  we  then  doubt,  after  such  a  confirmation  as 
this?  Is  not  Jehovah  in  all  ages  the  same  covenant- 
keeping  God?  Are  not  his  promises  lasting  as  the 
days  of  heaven  ?  Hath  he  said,  and  shall  he  not  do 
it  ?  Hath  he  spoken,  and  shall  he  not  make  it  good  1 
0!  the  desperate  vileness  of  our  ungrateful  unbeliev- 
ing hearts !  With  tears  may  each  say,  with  the  fa- 
ther of  the  poor  afflicted  child,  "  Lord,  I  believe,  help 
thou  mine  unbelief;"  and  with  our  Christian  Poet: — 

"  Why  should  I  shrink  at  thy  command 
Whose  love  forbids  my  fears  ? 
Or  tremble  at  the  gracious  hand 
That  wipes  away  my  tears  1 

*'  Wisdom  and  mercy  guide  my  way, 
Shall  I  resist  them  both  1 
A  poor  blind  creature  of  a  day, 
And  crush'd  before  the  moth. 

"  But  ah  !  my  inward  spirit  cries, 
Still  bind  me  to  thy  sway  ; 
Else  the  next  cloud  that  veils  my  skies, 
Drives  all  these  thoughts  away." 

We  resemble  mariners,  navigating  a  tempestuous 
ocean,  the  waves  of  trouble  are  ever  rolling  around  us  ; 
deep  calleth  unto  deep ;  while  the  tempest-tossed  be- 
liever, like  Peter,  is  compelled  to  cry  out,  "  Lord  save, 
or  I  perish  ;"  and  with  David,  "  All  thy  waves  and  bil- 
lows are  gone  over  me." 

But  in  the  midst  of  this  tossing,  how  consoling  is 
the  assurance,  that  in  Christ  Jesus  the  soul  is  as  safe 
as  if  it  were  crossing  a  sea  without  a  wave.  While 
the  worldling  is  driven  by  fierce  winds  hither  and  thi- 


310  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ther,  and  is  at  length  ingulphed  in  the  mighty  waters  ; 
the  true  believer,  secured  by  the  Anchor  of  Hope,  is 
firmly  moored  to  the  Rock  of  Ages. 

Can  we  then  be  surprised  that  the  delighted  Apostle, 
thus  preserved  by  the  strength  and  faithfulness  of  his 
Saviour,  should  feel  exceeding  joyful  in  all  his  tribula- 
tion? Blessed  indeed  was  his  Christian  Experi- 
ence. None  can  understand  it  aright,  none  can  feel 
it  fully,  but  those  happy  souls  in  whom  Jesus  takes  up 
his  abode,  and  manifests  himself  as  he  does  not  unto 
the  world. 

Reader,  canst  thou  participate  in  this  Gospel  bless- 
ing 1     Hast  thou  cast  anchor  within  the  veil  ? 


The  knowledge  of  ourselves  is  a  most  difficult  sci- 
ence, owing  to  the  vanity  of  our  minds,  and  the  influ- 
ence of  self-love.  We  are  blind  to  our  own  faults, 
but  quick-sighted  to  the  failings  of  others.  The  mote 
in  our  brother's  eye  is  readily  discerned,  while  we  are 
unconscious  of  the  beam  so  apparent  in  our  own. 

Humility  is  the  basis  of  Christian  excellence.  It 
is  a  grace  of  peculiar  beauty  in  the  sight  of  Him  who 
was  meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and  who  has  declared, 
that  "  he  who  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted." 

Those  persons,  therefore,  who  imagine,  that  they 
have  obtained  such  a  victory  over  thoir  corruptions,  as 
will  free  them  from  the  trouble  of  watchfulness  and 
circumspection,  have  attained  unto  a  higher  degree  of 
sanctification,  than  ever  the  holy  Paul  professed  to 
have  done. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  311 

Let  US  learn  humility  and  self-knowledge  by  the  ex- 
perience of  this  eminent  servant  of  Christ. 

We  have  a  beautiful  instance  of  this  Christian  state 
of  mind,  recorded  by  himself  in  his  Second  Epistle  to 
the  Church  at  Corinth :  "  I  knew  a  man  in  Christ,'* 
writes  the  Apostle,  "  whether  in  the  body  I  cannot  tell, 
or  whether  out  of  the  body  I  cannot  tell,  God  knoweth : 
such  an  one  was  caught  up  to  the  third  heaven,  into 
Paradise,  and  heard  unspeakable  words,  which  it  is 
not  lawful  for  a  man  to  utter." 

St.  Paul  was  this  man,  although  with  admirable  hu- 
mility he  endeavoured  to  cast  a  veil  over  himself.  He 
could  have  revealed  a  scene  of  wonders,  which  would 
have  raised  him  still  higher  in  the  estimation  of  the 
churches  ;  but,  says  he,  "  I  forbear,  lest  any  man 
should  think  of  me  above  that  which  he  seeth  me  to 
be,  or  that  he  heareth  of  me." 

Could  any  spark  of  pride  or  vain-glory  exist  in  such 
a  lowly  bosom  1  Could  he,  who  as  a  sinner,  declared 
himself  to  be  the  chiefs  and  as  a  saint,  less  than  the 
leasty  be  in  danger  of  the  swelling  of  high-minded- 
ness? 

Let  us  hear  what  ho  says  of  himself;  "Lest  I 
should  be  exalted  above  measure,  through  the  abun- 
dance of  the  Revelations,  there  was  given  to  me  a 
thorn  in  the  flesh,  the  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet 
me,  lest  I  should  be  exalted  above  measure." 

Surely  no  one,  after  such  a  confession,  will  dare  to 
say, — I  have  made  my  heart  clean ;  I  am  pure  from 
my  sin ;  I  am  removed  from  the  fear  of  evil. 

Was  it  needful  for  the  humble,  self  denying  Paul, 


312  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

to  have  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  to  keep  him  in  the  valley 
of  humiliation,  and  to  remind  him  that  he  was  still  in 
the  body,  and  therefore  subject  to  temptation :  then 
where  is  the  Christian,  who  has  reached  to  such  a 
height  of  perfection,  as  to  be  wholly  removed  from  the 
bufl"ettings  of  Satan,  and  the  lustings  of  the  flesh? 

"  For  this  thing,"  said  the  Apostle,  "  I  besought  the 
Lord  thrice,  that  it  might  depart  from  me."  This  dis- 
pensation, whatever  might  be  its  nature,  was  distress- 
ing to  him.  It  was  a  thorn.  He  felt  its  painfulness, 
and  prayed  earnestly  for  its  removal. 

Was  he  left  without  a  word  of  comfort  under  this 
unexpected  trial  ?  O  !  how  compassionate  is  Jesus  to 
his  sufl*ering  servants.  With  infinite  loving-kindness, 
he  opened  to  him  this  source  of  consolation, — "  My 
grace  is  suflEicient  for  thee,  for  my  strength  is  made 
perfect  in  weakness." 

So  contented  was  the  happy  saint  with  this  Divine 
answer  to  his  prayer,  that  although  the  thorn  was  not 
removed,  yet  the  assurance  of  receiving  a  sufficiency 
of  grace  in  every  time  of  need,  enabled  him  to  say 
with  feelings  of  exultation,  "  Most  gladly,  therefore, 
will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infirmities,  that  the  power  of 
Christ  may  rest  upon  me  ;  for  when  I  am  weak,  then 
am  I  strong." 

What  can  any  sufl'ering  or  tempted  believer  want 
more,  for  strength  and  comfort,  than  the  all-sufficient 
grace  of  his  Saviour?  Having  this,  he  has  every 
thing  ;  wanting  this,  he  is  poor  indeed. 

Delightful  promise !  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee."     Jesus  gives  strength  equal  to  our  day.     How- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  313 

ever  dark  the  dispensation,  or  difficult  the  path  ;  whe- 
ther we  be  in  the  sim-shine  of  prosperity,  or  amid  the 
storms  of  adversity, — in  the  activities  of  life,  or  on  the 
bed  of  death,  the  promise  is  never  failing: — "My 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee." 

May  every  reader  enjoy  in  all  its  fulness  this  source 
of  consolation,  so  highly  valued  by  the  great  Apostle 
of  the  Gentiles. 


While  labouring  with  all  cheerfulness  in  the  vine- 
yard of  his  Lord,  St.  Paul  had  to  endure  many  priva- 
tions. We  have  seen  how  he  suffered  in  the  course 
of  his  ministry,  both  hunger,  and  cold,  and  nakedness. 
Yet  none  of  these  things  moved  him.  He  was  willing 
to  endure  all  things  for  the  elect's  sake,  that  they  might 
obtain  the  salvation  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  with 
eternal  glory. 

When  the  Gentile  churches  manifested  their  affec- 
tion towards  him,  by  ministering  to  his  necessities,  he 
received  the  expression  of  their  love  with  thankful- 
ness. This  grateful  feeling  he  strikingly  exhibited  in 
his  Epistle  to  the  Philippians  :  "  I  rejoiced  in  the  Lord 
greatly,  that  now  at  the  last  your  care  of  me  hath 
flourished  again  ;  wherein  ye  were  also  careful,  but  ye 
lacked  opportunity.  Ye  have  well  done,  that  ye  did 
communicate  with  my  affliction.  Now,  ye  Philip- 
pians, know  also,  that  in  the  beginning  of  the  Gospel, 
when  1  departed  from  Macedonia,  no  church  commu- 
nicated with  me  as  concerning  giving  and  receiving, 
but  ye  only.  For  even  in  Thessalonica  ye  sent  once 
and  again  unto  my  necessity.  Not  because  I  desire  a 
27 


314  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

gift ;  but  I  desire  fruit  that  may  abound  to  your  ac- 
count.. But  I  have  all,  and  abound :  1  am  full,  having 
received  of  Epaphroditus  the  things  which  were  sent 
from  you,  an  odour  of  a  sweet  smell,  a  sacrilEice  well- 
pleasing  unto  God.  But  my  God  shall  supply  all 
your  need,  according  to  his  riches  in  glory  by  Christ 
Jesus." 

Such  was  the  Christian  spirit  which  displayed  itself 
in  the  conduct  of  this  holy  man  under  every  trying 
circumstance  of  life.  Humility,  patience,  faith,  and 
love  shone  brightly  in  him  at  all  times ;  and  more  es- 
pecially when  under  the  pressure  of  affliction.  No 
repining  ever  escaped  his  lips ;  for  his  heart  cheer- 
fully acquiesced  in  all  the  will  of  God,  and  suffering 
was  converted  into  pleasure,  when  endured  for  the 
Gospel's  sake.  If  he  spoke  of  his  necessities,  it  was 
not  with  the  view  of  compelling  the  churches  to  re- 
lieve them.  His  soul  abhorred  so  mercenary  a  motive. 
He  therefore  says  to  the  Philippians ;  "  Not  that  1 
speak  in  respect  of  want,  for  I  have  learned  in  what- 
soever state  I  am,  therewith  to  be  content.  I  know 
both  how  to  be  abased,  and  I  know  how  to  abound. 
Every  where  and  in  all  things,  I  am  instructed  both 
to  be  full  and  to  be  hungry,  both  to  abound  and  to  suf- 
fer need." 

What  an  antidote  is  divine  contentment  to  the  ills  of 
life.  This  rare  attainment  can  only  be  made  in  the 
school  of  Christ.  Happy  indeed  is  the  man,  who  un- 
der every  changing  scene,  in  humble  dependence 
upon  a  Saviour's  grace,  has  learned  to  be  content. 

It  was  not  human  power  nor  human  reasoning  which 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  315 

thus  enabled  the  apostle  to  support  with  lightsome  heart 
the  burden  of  the  Cross.  Faith  in  the  power  of  Christ 
was  the  great  secret  of  his  consolation  :  "  I  can  do 
all  things,  through  Christ  which  strengthened  me." 

Have  we  attained  to  this  happy  state  in  our  Chris- 
tian experience  ?  Can  we  say  in  sincerity  and  truth, 
I  have  learned  in  whatsoever  state  I  am,  therewith  to 
be  content  1 

Few,  as  Bunyan  expresses  it,  descend  into  the 
Valley  of  Humiliation  without  a  slip  or  two.  How- 
over  much  we  may  trust  to  the  strength  of  our  prin- 
ciples, we  shall  always  find,  by  experience,  that  it  is 
easier  to  talk  about  resignation  than  to  be  resigned. 

St.  Paul  could  say,  "  I  know  how  both  to  be  abased 
and  I  know  how  to  abound.  I  am  instructed  both  to 
abound  and  to  suffer  need."  Blessed  instruction! 
invaluable  knowledge  !  which  thus  enabled  him  to 
bear  prosperity  and  adversity  with  a  Christian  spirit. 
Those  who  know  themselves  the  best,  know  how  dif- 
ficult it  is,  because  of  the  pride  and  earthliness  of 
their  hearts,  in  whatsoever  state  they  are,  therewith 
to  be  content. 

The  Spirit  of  Christ  alone  can  teach  us  the  art  of 
divine  contentment.  If  He  instruct  us,  we  shall  be 
able  to  learn  the  hardest  lesson.  Let  us  then  sit  daily 
at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  where,  imbibing  his  Spirit,  and 
receiving  his  grace,  we  shall  rise  superior  to  every 
trial,  and  be  enabled  to  unite  with  St.  Paul  in  his  as- 
surance of  faith  ;  "  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ 
which  etrengtheneth  me." 


316  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

The  prospect  of  death,  so  terrible  to  many,  was  to 
the  Apostle  a  scene  of  brightest  expectation.  The 
man  who  could  say,  "  I  die  daily  ;  I  am  in  a  strait 
betwixt  two,  having  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with 
Christ ;  being  willing  rather  to  be  absent  from  the 
body,  and  to  be  present  with  the  Lord  ;'* — must  have 
rejoiced  at  every  approach  towards  the  consummation 
of  his  wishes.  When  death  knocks  at  the  door  and 
shakes  his  dart,  the  sinners  tremble  for  fear.  So  did 
not  Paul.  While  his  outward  man  was  daily  tending 
to  decay,  his  inward  man  was  advancing  toward  per- 
fection. He  could  triumph  over  death  in  its  most 
frightful  form,  and  find,  in  the  worldling's  terror,  a 
source  of  the  highest  consolation.  The  opening 
grave,  with  its  accompanying  gloom,  may  sadden  a 
heart  wrapt  up  in  the  enjoyment  of  sensual  pleasures, 
but  all  its  sable  horrors  vanished  before  the  bright  as- 
surance of  the  Apostle ;  "  I  know  whom  I  have  be- 
lieved, and  am  persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that 
which  I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that  day." 

Faith  is  the  eye  which  pierces  the  clouds  and  fixes 
itself  upon  the  hidden  glories  of  Emmanuel's  kingdom. 
This  faith,  ever  in  vigorous  exercise,  upheld  the  great 
Apostle,  and  like  the  pillar  of  fire  in  the  wilderness, 
shed  a  brightness  over  all  his  path.  Possessing  this 
gift  of  grace,  which  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped 
for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen,  he  felt  his 
affliction  to  be  light,  and  its  duration  momentary.  With 
steadfast  faith,  he  looked,  not  at  the  things  which  are 
seen  and  are  temporal,  but  at  the  things  that  are  not 
seen,  and  are  eternal :  he  therefore  gradually  advanced 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  317 

in  a  meetness  for  heaven,  and  gloried  in  those  tribu- 
lations, which,  through  the  Spirit,  wrought  out  for  him 
a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

What  a  blessed  gradation  there  is  in  the  scale  of 
mercy  :  "  For  affliction  there  is  glory.  For  light  af- 
fliction a  weight  of  glory.  For  light  affliction  which 
is  but  for  a  moment,  an  eternal  weight  of  glory." 
Here  then  we  perceive  another  source  of  the  Apostle's 
consolation,  for  the  joy  of  the  believer,  passing  the 
boundary  of  time,  reaches  into  eternity. 

Like  a  true  pilgrim,  this  apostolic  missionary  had 
no  certain  dwelling-place.  He  renounced  those  trea- 
sures which  engross  the  worldling's  mind,  for  a  build- 
ing of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens.  He  gave  up  all,  to  possess  all — He  be- 
came poor,  that  he  might  be  rich.  "  We  that  are  in 
this  tabernacle  do  groan,  being  burdened,"  was  his  ex- 
perience. "  We  look  for  the  Saviour,  who  shall 
change  our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be  fashioned  like  un- 
to his  glorious  body,"  was  his  earnest  expectation,  and 
his  hope.  How  different  is  the  state  of  unconverted 
men.  They  hug  their  chain,  though  they  sigh  under 
its  weight ;  they  cherish  the  viper,  though  it  may  sting 
them  to  death.  True  happiness  cannot  possibly  be 
found  in  any  of  those  earthly  things  which  so  much 
occupy  the  time,  and  captivate  the  hearts  of  dying 
mortals. 

Pleasures  may  fascinate,  riches  may  dazzle,  honours 
may  inflate  ;  but  what  can  these  sources  of  ideal  com- 
fort yield  in  the  hour  of  death  and  judgment  ? 
27* 


318  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Miserable  comforters  are  they  all  at  such  a  season 
of  real  anguish. 

The  Gospel,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
can  impart  genuine  happiness.  A  heart,  wholly  given 
to  God  through  faith  in  a  crucified  Saviour,  is  the  tru- 
ly happy  heart.  If  there  be  a  pleasure  in  this  lower 
world,  which  can  communicate  a  sweet  without  a 
sting,  it  is  the  pleasure  of  communion  with  God  through 
Christ.  If  at  God's  right  hand,  there  are  pleasures 
for  evermore  ;  if  in  his  presence  there  is  fulness  of 
joy :  then  every  approach  to  Him  must  be  made  an 
approach  to  happiness,  and  communion  with  Him, 
must  be  the  foretaste  of  eternal  bliss. 

This  world,  as  Hooker  has  feelingly  expressed  it, 
"  is  made  up  of  perturbations."  The  curse  has  made 
the  cross :  Had  man  never  sinned,  he  would  never 
have  suffered.  No  thorns  or  thistles  would  have 
sprung  up  beneath  his  feet.  Now,  they  cover  the  earth, 
as  perpetual  emblems  of  man's  misery,  and  of  God's 
displeasure. 

In  every  thorn  and  thistle  we  may  read  the  fall  of 
man.  Through  Christ,  the  promised  seed  of  the  wo- 
man, the  curse  is  now  removed  from  every  believing 
sinner :  and  though  the  cross  remains ^  yet  its  bitterness 
is  extracted,  and  it  is  made  to  yield  the  wholesome 
fruit  of  patience,  self-denial,  and  deadness  to  the  world. 

The  covenant  love  of  God  sweetens  every  cup  of 
suffering,  and  lightens  every  burden  of  affliction. 
Hence,  the  way,,  though  thorny,  is  rendered  pleasant ; 
and  trials,  though  sharp,  are  gloried  in,  for  Jesus'  sake. 

Who  then  is  the  truly  happy  person,  in  this  world 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  319' 

of  sin  and  sorrow  ?  It  is  the  genuine  believer  in  Jesus  ; 
he,  whose  faith  is  not  speculative,  but  practical ;  whose 
love  is  not  transient,  but  abiding ;  whose  hope  is 
placed,  not  upon  created  things,  but  on  Christ  the  sure 
foundation. 

From  Jesus,  he  receives  pardon  and  peace,  right- 
eousness and  strength,  grace  and  glory.  Streams  of 
mercy  are  ever  flowing  around  him.  He  sees  love 
inscribed  on  every  dispensation ;  and  like  the  martyr, 
can  kiss  the  faggot  prepared  to  consume  him,  crying 
Welcome  Cross — Welcome  Cross. 

The  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  was  honoured 
of  God  to  proclaim  this  blessedness  to  the  world.  Be- 
ing taught  by  the  Spirit  to  know  the  Truth,  and  to  feel 
its  power,  he  saw  with  unclouded  vision  the  glories  of 
the  Gospel,  and  daily  lived  under  the  consoling  influ- 
ence of  its  heavenly  light. 

To  the  Corinthian  church,  he  poured  forth  his  stores 
of  Gospel  tidings  :  "  All  things  are  of  God,  who  hath 
reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  hath 
given  to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  :  to  wit,  that 
God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  Himself, 
not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them,  and  hath  com- 
mitted unto  us  the  word  of  reconciliation.  Now  then 
we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  be- 
seech you  by  us,  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye 
reconciled  to  God.  For  he  hath  made  him  to  be  sin 
for  us,  who  knew  no  sin,  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him." 

With  such  divine  supports,  such  sources  of  conso- 
lation, St.  Paul  was  enabled  to  encounter  the  fiercest 


320  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

opposition  ;  and  at  midnight,  to  sing  praises  to  his  God 
in  the  dungeon  at  Philippi.  Have  we  attained  to  this 
height  of  blessedness?  Can  we  extract  sweetness 
from  the  bitterness  of  death, — and  consolation  from 
the  worldling's  source  of  sorrow  ? 

While  meditating  upon  these  riches  of  sovereign 
grace,  these  abundant  consolations  provided  for  suffer- 
ing saints  let  us  strike  our  harps  with  David  and  sing, 
"  How  precious  are  thy  thoughts  unto  me,  O  God ! 
how  great  is  the  sum  of  them.  If  I  should  count  them 
they  are  more  in  number  than  the  sand :  when  I 
awake,  I  am  still  with  thee.  How  excellent  is  thy 
loving-kindness,  0  God,  therefore  the  children  of  men 
put  their  trust  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings.  They 
shall  be  abundantly  satisfied  with  the  fatness  of  thy 
house,  and  thou  shalt  make  them  drink  of  the  river  of 
thy  pleasures.  For  with  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life, 
and  in  thy  light,  we  shall  see  light." 

"  When  the  world  my  heart  is  rending 
With  its  heaviest  storm  of  care, 
My  plad  thoughts,  to  God  ascending, 
Find  a  refuge  from  despair. 

"There's  a  hand  of  mercy  near  me, 
Though  the  waves  of  trouble  roar ; 
There's  an  hour  of  rest  to  cheer  me, 
When  the  toils  of  life  are  o'er. 

••  Happy  hour !  when  saints  are  gaining, 
That  bright  crown  they  Jong'd  to  wear; 
Not  one  spot  of  sin  remaining, 
Not  one  pang  of  earthly  care. 

••  O !  to  rest  in  peace  for  ever, 
Joia'd  with  happy  sculs  above ; 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  321 

Where  no  foe  my  heart  can  sever 
From  the  Saviour  whom  I  love. 

'  This  the  hope  that  shall  sustain  me 

Till  life's  pilgrimage  be  past ; 
Fears  may  vex,  and  troubles  pain  me, 

I  shall  reach  my  home  at  last. " 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

St.  Paul's  description  of  christian  charity — on 
self-examination. 

The  doctrine  of  the  Cross  shines  with  peculiar  lustre 
in  the  writings  of  St.  Paul.  Its  sublimity  far  surpasses 
the  conception  of  the  strongest  intellect ;  while,  through 
its  simplicity,  the  most  unlettered  peasant  is  made  wise 
unto  salvation. 

Love  to  God,  producing  love  to  man,  is  the  blessed 
fruit  of  faith  in  a  crucified  Redeemer.  Nothing  can 
equal  the  master-strokes  of  the  great  Apostle  in  his 
portraiture  of  Christian  love.  They  discover  a  mind 
enlightened  from  above — a  heart  clothed  with  humili- 
ty. While  charmed  with  the  beauty  of  the  picture, 
we  must  feel  abased  at  our  own  little  resemblance  to 
it.  Oh?  that  our  whole  soul  may  be  moulded  into 
this  heavenly  grace.  Spiritual  gifts,  so  highly  valued 
by  the  primitive  churches,  were  as  nothing  in  the  es- 
timation of  this  eminent  saint,  if  unaccompanied  by 
love. 

With  what  peculiar  force  does  he  express  this  feel- 
ing to  the  Corinthian  Christians :  "  Though  1  speak 
with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels,  and  have  not 
charity,  I  am  become  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling 
cymbal :  And  though  I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy,  and 
understand  all  mysteries,  and  all  knowledge  :    And 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  323 

though  I  have  all  faith,  so  that  I  could  remove  moun- 
tains, and  have  not  charity,  I  am  nothing :  And  though 
I  bestow  all  my  goods  to  feed  the  poor ;  and  though  I 
give  my  body  to  be  burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it 
profitelh  me  nothing." 

How  all-pervading  in  the  Christian  system,  is  love. 
As  the  sap,  which  circulates  unseen,  causes  the  fer- 
tility of  the  tree  ;  so  is  this  hidden  principle  the  cause 
of  fruitfulness  in  the  believer.  Earth  would  resemble 
heaven,  were  all  who  call  themselves  Christians,  the 
living  exemplars  of  this  lovely  grace.  But  alas  !  how 
widely  different  from  celestial  love,  is  the  prevailing 
spirit  of  the  Christian  world.  The  spiritual  foe  is 
fearfully  at  work.  Union  in  the  camp  of  Satan,  and 
disunion  in  the  Church  of  God  is  most  portentous  of 
approaching  evil.  The  enemies  of  Christ  are  making 
one  common  cause  against  His  Truth, — while  his  pro- 
fessing people  are  suffering  jealousies  and  mistrusts  to 
separate  them  from  each  other.  Oh !  that  a  spirit  of 
love  may  be  speedily  poured  out  upon  all  our  churches, 
lest  the  Holy  Dove  should  flee  away  from  these 
scenes  of  strife,  and  leave  us  to  the  miseries  of  a  fallen 
people. 

Let  us  contemplate  the  features  of  Christian  charity 
as  drawn  by  the  masterly  hand  of  the  Apostle,  and 
then  look  at  those  of  our  fallen  nature, — and  though 
painful  be  the  contrast,  may  it  lead  us  in  self-abase- 
ment to  the  Cross  of  Christ,  where  love  is  displayed 
in  its  divinest  form. 

Charity  suffereth  long  and  is  kind. — We  are  quick  in 


324  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

our  resentments,  slow  in  our  reconciliations,  and  back- 
ward to  repay  an  injury  with  kindness. 

Charity  envieth  not. — We  look  with  envious  eye  on 
the  possessions  and  preferments  of  others ;  and  can- 
not bear  to  be  outshone  by  the  superior  talents  of  our 
neighbour.  The  Scripture  saith  not  in  vain,  "  the 
spirit  that  dwelleth  in  us  lusteth  to  envy ;  and  where 
envy  is,  there  is  confusion  and  every  evil  work." 

Charity  vaunteth  not  itself^  is  not  puffed  up. — We  are 
naturally  vain  and  self-sufficient,  proud  of  our  gifts, 
and  wise  in  our  own  conceits. 

Charity  doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly, — We  trans- 
gress the  bounds  of  decency  and  propriety ;  and  fail 
in  that  reverence  which  is  due  to  our  superiors. 

Charity  seeketh  not  her  own. — We  are  selfish,  re- 
garding our  own  interest  and  pleasure  :  caring  not 
who  sinks,  if  only  we  swim. 

Charity  is  not  easily  provoked. — We  take  fire  at  the 
least  offence  ;  making  a  man  an  offender  for  a  word  ; 
suffering  anger  to  rest  in  our  bosoms  ;  and  letting  the 
sun  go  down  upon  our  wrath. 

Charity  thinketh  no  evil. — We  readily  indulge  in  evil 
surmisings,  and  unfounded  censures ;  sitting  in  judg- 
ment on  the  motives  of  others,  and  condemning  those 
as  hypocrites  whom  the  Lord  doth  not  condemn. 

Charity  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity ^  but  rejoiceth  in  the 
truth. — We  take  a  secret  delight  in  the  falls  of  those 
whom  we  dislike  ;  and  find  a  pleasure  in  hearing  and 
propagating  the  tale  of  slander. 

Charity  beareth  all  things. — We  do  not  bear  unkind 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  326 

treatment  with  meekness,  nor  cover  the   defects  of 
others  with  the  veil  of  love. 

Charity  believeth  all  things. — We  are  unwilling  to 
put  the  best  construction  on  our  neighbour's  actions, 
and  to  give  him  credit  for  his  good  intentions. 

Charity  hopeth  all  things. — We  seldom  anticipate 
good  from  the  conduct  of  those,  against  whom  we  have 
imbibed  a  prejudice. 

Charity  endureth  all  things. — We  cannot  endure  with 
patience  undeserved  reproach ;  nor  be  willing,  at  all 
times  to  suffer,  rather  than  to  inflict  an  injury. 

Thus  we  are  by  nature,  the  very  reverse  of  this  holy 
Charity ;  for  having,  through  the  fall  of  oar  first  pa- 
rents, lost  the  image  of  God,  who  is  love,  we  bear 
the  image  of  Satan,  who  is  the  author  of  envy,  malig- 
nity, and  pride. 

"  Whoever  has  watched  the  sun  in  his  declining" 
course,  and  has  seen  him  sink  into  the  horizon,  must 
sometimes  have  observed  dark  clouds  gathering  round 
him,  as  if  to  blot  out  and  extinguish  his  rays  :  but  in- 
stead of  effecting  this,  the  sun  throws  on  them  the 
brightness  of  his  own  pure  light,  and  reflects  upon  the 
dark  face  of  the  hostile  clouds,  the  radiant  colours  of 
his  own  splendour.  They  glow  with  borrowed  hues 
of  glory. 

"  This  will  be  the  effect  of  Christian  Charity  also. 
If  any  assail  us  with  dark  suspicions,  doubts,  and  fears, 
let  us  spread  over  them  the  light  of  Christian  love  :  let 
our  example  be  as  pure  as  the  object  is  holy :  thus 
shall  we  tinge  them  with  better  colours ;  they  will 
28 


326  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

catch  the  same  glow,  and  be  excited  to  better  pur- 
poses." 

Divinely  glorious  is  that  principle,  which  can  effect 
such  happiness.  In  the  midst  of  manifold  changes 
and  dissolutions — Charity  never  faileth. — Prophecies 
shall  be  fulfilled — Tongues  shall  cease — Knowledge, 
like  the  scaffolding,  shall  be  removed — Faith  shall  be 
lost  in  vision — Hope,  in  enjoyment — but  Love  shall 
never  fail. — This  grace  will  flourish  with  immortal 
vigour  in  the  Paradise  above  ;  for  ever  expanding  its 
beauties,  and  filling  the  redeemed  with  eternal  joy,  the 
nearer  it  approaches  the  uncreated  Fountain  of  Light 
and  Love. 

How  divinely  glorious  is  the  Gospel.  Its  effects 
on  the  human  heart  are  truly  wonderful.  It  may  well 
be  called  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  believeth.  The  Gospel,  when  cordially  received, 
begets  such  a  gracious  temper  of  mind,  as  makes  us 
humble,  affable,  and  charitable  ;  forbearing  and  forgiv- 
ing ;  ready  to  every  good  work.  It  smooths  the  rug- 
gedness  of  our  natural  disposition ;  banishes  selfish- 
ness from  our  hearts  ;  and  infuses  that  gentle  and  lov- 
ing spirit  which  sheds  a  blessing  wherever  its  influence 
is  felt.  This  new-creating  power  of  the  Gospel  was 
most  visible  in  the  first  and  best  ages  of  Christianity. 
No  sooner  did  the  Gospel  fly  abroad  into  the  world 
upon  the  wings  of  love,  than  the  charity  of  Christians 
became  notorious  even  to  a  proverb.  The  very  Hea- 
thens, who  raged  against  them,  were  compelled  to  ex- 
claim, "  See  how  these  Christians  love  one  another." 

Clement,  of  whom  St.  Paul  speaks  so  highly  in  his 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  327 

Epistle  to   the  Philippians,  styling   him   his  fellow- 
labourer,  whose  name  is  in  the  book  of  life,  enforces 
the  duty  of  Charity  with  an  almost  apostolic  authority 
in  his  Epistle  to  the  Corinthian  church  :  "  He  that  has 
the  love  that  is  in  Christ,"  says  this  truly  Christian 
Bishop,  "  let  him  keep  the  commandments  of  Christ. 
For  who  is  able  to  express  the  obligation  of  the  love 
of  God?     What  man  is   sufficient  to   declare,  as  is 
fitting,  the  excellency  of  its  beauty  ?     The  height  to 
which  Charity  leads,  is  inexpressible.     Charity  unites 
us  to  God :    Charity   covers    the  multitude  of  sins  : 
Charity   endures  all   things,  is   long-suffering  in  all 
things.     There  is  nothing  base  and  sordid  in  Charity : 
Charity  lifts  not  itself  up  above  others  ;  admits  of  no 
divisions  ;  is  not  seditious  ;  but  does  all  things  in  peace 
and  concord.     By  Charity  were  all  the  elect  of  God 
made  perfect ;    without  it  nothing  is  pleasing  and  ac- 
ceptable in  the  sight  of  God-     Through  Charity  did 
the  Lord  join  us  unto  himself;  whilst  for  the  love  that 
be  bore  towards  ns,  ojir  Lord  Jesus  Christ  gave  his 
own  blood  for  us,  by  the  will  of  God ;  his  flesh,  for 
our  flesh ;  his  soul,  for  our  souls. 

"  Ye  see,  beloved,"  continues  this  Primitive  Father 
of  the  Christian  Church,  "  how  great  and  wonderful  a 
thing  Charity  is;  and  how  that  no  expressions  are 
sufficient  to  declare  its  perfection.  But  who  is  fit  to 
he  found  in  it  ?  Even  such  only  as  God  shall  vouch- 
safe to  make  so.  Lef  us  therefore  pray  to  him,  and 
beseech  him,  that  we  may  be  worthy  of  it ;  that  so 
we  may  live  in  charity,  being  unblameable,  without 
evil  propensities,  without  respect  of  persons.     All  the 


328  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ages  of  the  world,  from  Adam,  even  unto  this  day,  are 
passed  away ;  but  they  who  have  been  made  perfect 
in  love,  have,  by  the  grace  of  God,  obtained  a  place 
among  the  righteous ;  and  shall  be  made  manifest  in 
the  judgment  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

"  Happy  then  shall  we  be,  beloved,  if  we  shall  have 
fulfilled  the  commandments  of  God,  in  the  unity  of 
love  ;  that  so,  through  love,  our  sins  may  be  forgiven 
us.  For  so  it  is  written, — '  Blessed  is  he  whose  trans- 
gression is  forgiven,  and  whose  sin  is  covered.  Blessed 
is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord  imputeth  not  iniquity, 
and  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile.  Now  this  bless- 
ing is  fulfilled  in  those  who  are  chosen  by  God  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen.' " 

If  the  first  duty  of  the  Christian  be  Charity,  without 
which  all  our  doings  are  nothing  worth ;  if  faith,  work- 
ing by  love,  be  the  only  saving  faith ; — how  important 
is  St.  Paul's  admonition  to  the  Corinthian  church,  and 
to  all  the  churches  of  Christ  in  every  succeeding  age  ; 
"  Examine  yourselves,  whether  ye  be  in  the  faith : 
prove  your  own  selves  :  know  ye  not  your  own  selves, 
how  that  Jesus  Christ  is  in  you,  except  ye  be  repro- 
bates." 

With  much  humility,  sincerity,  and  prayer,  we 
should  enter  into  our  own  bosoms,  and  there,  search 
the  secret  recesses  of  our  hearts,  to  detect  each  lurk- 
ing evil,  and  to  know  the  worst  of  our  selves.  This 
self-knowledge,  though  a  difficult,  is  an  indispensable 
attainment.  No  labour  should  be  deemed  too  great, 
no  discovery  too  humiliating  in  the  prosecution  of  this 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  329 

inward  search.  May  the  Divine  Spirit  teach  us  by 
his  illuminating  influence.  We  are  naturally  blind  to 
our  real  state  and  character, — but  God  fully  knows  the 
deceitfulness  and  desperate  wickedness  of  our  heart. 

The  following  considerations  are  submitted  to  the 
pious  reader,  in  the  humble  hope,  that  they  may,  in 
some  measure,  conduce  to  this  desirable  end,  through 
the  blessing  of  Him  from  whom  all  holy  desires,  all 
good  counsels,  and  all  just  works  do  proceed. 

ON  THE  NATURE  OF  GOD. 

When  I  meditate  upon  the  greatness  and  glory  of 
God,  on  his  infinite  and  adorable  perfections,  what 
effect  has  this  knowledge  upon  my  heart?  Do  I  re- 
verence this  Holy  Lord  God  ?  Do  I  love  him  above 
all  created  beings  ?  Am  I  anxious  to  please,  and  fear- 
ful to  offend  him  ?  Does  a  sense  of  his  Omniscience 
restrain  me  from  secret  sin  1  Does  a  conviction  of  his 
Omnipotence  inspire  me  with  confidence  in  the  hour 
of  danger  ?  Does  a  firm  persuasion  of  his  Omnipre- 
sence encourage  me  to  bear  up  under  outward  trials, 
and  to  press  forward  on  the  way  to  glory. 

ON  ORIGINAL  SIN. 

When  I  reflect  upon  the  introduction  of  moral  evil 
into  the  world,  and  all  its  dire  calamities,  temporal, 
spiritual,  and  eternal ;  what  are  ray  feelings  on  this 
mysterious  subject  ?  Do  I  receive  this  truth  in  the 
simplicity  of  faith,  not  desiring  to  be  wise  above  what 
is  written  ?  Feeling  the  effects  of  sin,  by  painful  ex- 
28* 


330  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

perience,  am  I  desirous  to  obtain  the  remedy  which  a 
gracious  God  has  provided  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son  ? 
Am  1  more  anxious  to  extinguish  the  destructive  fire, 
than  curious  to  know  how  it  was  first  kindled  ?  Does 
a  consciousness  of  sin  humble  me  before  God,  and 
empty  my  soul  of  all  hope  of  self-justification  in  his 
sight  ?  Can  I  rest  satisfied  with  the  Divine  Revela- 
tion, that  "  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and 
death  by  sin  ;  and  so  death  has  passed  upon  all  men, 
for  that  all  have  sinned  ?" 

ON  THE  FALL  OF  MAN. 

When  I  think  upon  man'^s  apostacy  from  God — the 
total  corruption  of  my  heart — the  hardening,  polluting, 
and  blinding  nature  of  sin ;  what  is  the  influence  of 
these  momentous  truths  ?  Do  they  lay  me  in  the  dust 
before  God,  and  cause  me  to  cry  out — Unclean,  un- 
clean,— Woe  is  me  !  I  am  undone, — Behold  I  am 
vile  ?  Have  they  made  me  to  despair  of  salvation  by 
any  righteousness  of  my  own ;  and  filled  me  with 
shame  in  the  presence  of  Infinite  Purity  ?  With  self- 
abhorrence  do  I  cast  myself  on  the  unmerited  mercy 
of  God  in  Christ,  daily  praying  with  the  broken-hearted 
Publican :  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner  ?" 

ON  SALVATION   BY  JESUS  CHRIST. 

When  I  survey  the  freeness  and  fulness  of  Divine 
grace,  the  suitableness  and  sufliciency  of  Christ's  sal- 
vation, the  efiicacy  of  his  blood,  the  value  of  his 
righteousness,  the  prevalency  of  his  intercession,  and 
the  sweet  and  precious  promise  of  eternal  life  through 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  331 

him  ;  how  am  I  affected  by  these  glorious  truths  ?  Do 
I  feel  a  spring  of  delight  rising  up  within  me,  at  the 
sound  of  these  glad  tidings  of  great  joy?  Have  I 
felt  my  need  of  this  grace? — And,  in  humble  peni- 
tence and  faith,  have  I  come  to  Christ  as  my  only 
Saviour,  to  be  redeemed  from  present  sin  and  future 
misery  ? 

Renouncing  all  self-dependence,  and  casting  myself 
upon  Christ  for  righteousness  and  strength,  have  I  ex- 
perienced a  change  of  heart,  and  found  sin  to  be  ex- 
ceeding sinful  ?  Does  my  soul  sink  deeper  in  humil- 
ity, while  beholding  my  just  desert  in  the  agony  and 
bloody  sweat,  the  cross  and  passion  of  my  compas- 
sionate Redeemer  ?  Does  gratitude  continually  ascend, 
like  holy  incense  from  my  heart,  when  reviewing  the 
Saviour's  dying  love  ?  Is  my  benevolence  toward 
man  more  enlarged,  and  my  obedience  to  God  rendered 
more  lively  and  sincere,  from  these  precious  views  of 
the  grace  of  Christ  ? 

ON  THE  WORK  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

When  I  view  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  his  mighty 
energy  in  opening  the  blind  eyes  to  see  the  glory  of 
Jesus  ;  in  unstopping  the  deaf  ears  to  receive  the  sweet 
sounds  of  salvation  through  him  ;  in  making  the  tongue 
of  the  dumb  to  sing  his  praise,  and  the  feet  of  the 
lame  to  run  in  the  paths  of  willing  obedience  ; — When 
I  dwell  upon  his  powerful  operations  in  breaking  the 
chain  of  sin,  destroying  the  strong-holds  of  Satan, 
convincing  the  rebel  of  his  ingratitude,  inclining  him 
to  accept  the  offered  mercy,  and  to  become  the  willing 


332  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

subject  of  the  Prince  of  peace  :  what  effect  have  these 
all-important  truths  upon  my  heart  ? 

In  this  rebel,  do  I  behold  myself?  With  full  con- 
viction of  my  depravity,  do  I  earnestly  seek,  through 
Christ,  for  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Have  I  hith- 
erto experienced  any  thing  of  this  mighty  change,  this 
growing  renovation  of  heart  ?  Is  sin  less  powerful  in 
my  soul  ?  Do  I  feel  its .  force  decreasing,  and  the 
power  of  grace,  the  love  of  holiness,  acquiring  strength? 

Through  the  influence  of  the  Spirit,  can  I  renounce 
the  vain  and  empty  pleasures  of  the  world,  its  carnal 
company,  its  sinful  ways  ?  Have  I  resigned  my  all  to 
God,  desiring  that  his  Will  should  rule,  and  his  Spirit 
guide,  my  every  thought  and  action  ? 

Are  all  my  hopes  of  heavenly  glory  derived  from, 
and  resting  upon  Jesus,  as  my  Prophet,  Priest,  and 
King! 

Has  the  Divine  Spirit  made  me  willing  to  kiss  the 
sceptre  of  his  grace,  and  to  take  my  station  beneath 
the  banner  of  the  cross  ?  Through  his  Almighty 
strength  am  I  become  a  faithful  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ  ? 
Do  I  now  wage  war  against  the  world,  the  flesh,  and 
the  devil,  with  whom  I  was  once  in  league  against  the 
Majesty  of  Heaven  ? 

Conscious  of  my  utter  inability  to  withstand  these 
foes  without  the  power  of  Christ,  am  I  continually  go- 
ing to  the  Strong  for  strength,  and  thus  living  in  hum- 
ble dependence  on  his  grace,  do  I  come  off  more  than 
conqueror,  through  Him  who  loved  me  and  gave  him- 
self for  me  ? 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  333 

ON  PERSONAL    HOLINESS. 

When  I  consider  the  dangers  which  surround  me, 
and  the  sin  which  still  dwelleth  within  me  ;  do  I  pray 
for  grace,  to  keep  my  heart  with  all  diligence,  to  walk 
along  the  slippery  path  of  life  with  circumspection, 
and  to  cultivate  a  spirit  of  humility  and  godly  fear  ? 

Am  I  kind  to  those  who  treat  me  with  contempt, 
because  1  profess  myself  an  unworthy  follower  of  a 
crucified  Redeemer?  Have  I  indulged  any  murmur- 
ing thoughts  at  my  present  condition,  or  envied  the 
possessions,  or  attainments,  of  those  whose  superior 
wealth  or  knowledge  cast  me  into  the  shade  ?  Am  I 
willing  to  be  nothing  in  the  sight  of  men,  if  so  be  I 
may,  through  Christ,  be  admitted  into  favour  with 
God  ?     Is  this  the  language  of  my  heart : 

"  Mak(i  me  little  and  unknown, 
Lov'd  and  priz'd  by  God  alone.'* 

Is  it  my  daily  prayer  and  study  to  recommend  the 
Gospel  by  gentleness,  kindness,  and  courtesy ;  thus 
silencing  those  who  would  accuse  the  religion  of  Je- 
sus as  tending  to  foster  uncharitable  feelings,  morose- 
ness  of  spirit,  disagreeableness  of  manners,  and  discord 
in  domestic  life  ? 

When  little  provocations  occur,  which,  in  some 
shape  or  other  will  perpetually  happen,  through  the 
perverseness  of  those  with  whom  we  dwell ;  is  my 
temper  easily  ruffled  ?— or,  can  I  maintain  a  spirit  of 
self-possession,  when  tempted  to  anger  by  more  seri- 
ous causes,  being  wishful  to  reprove  in  love,  rather 
than  in  a  spirit  of  bitterness  ? 


334  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

Have  I  any  pleasure  in  hearing  or  speaking  ill  of 
others ;  or  do  I  cast  a  veil  of  charity  over  their  fail- 
ings, being  willing  at  all  times,  when  an  action  will 
admit  of  two  constructions,  to  hope  the  best? 

Is  it  a  grief  when  evil  thoughts  arise  in  my  mind : 
and  are  they  at  such  times  my  burden  and  cross  ?  Do 
I  pray  and  strive  through  the  Spirit  to  subdue  them? 
Do  I  fly  to  the  blood  of  Jesus  to  be  cleansed  from 
every  pollution  of  sin  ? 

Am  I  distressed  when  I  hear  of  abounding  wicked- 
ness ?  Is  my  soul  pained  within  me,  when  I  behold 
the  falls  of  professors,  the  backslidings  of  God's  chil- 
dren, and  the  reproach  which  they  bring  upon  the 
Gospel  of  Christ? 

Have  I  a  holy  joy  when  sinners  are  converted, 
when  the  cause  of  Truth  is  triumphing,  and  when  the 
Gospel  is  extending  its  influence  throughout  the  earth? 

ON  RELATIVE   DUTIES. 

When  I  learn  from  Scripture  the  necessity  of  good 
■y,^Oj-ks, — that  holiness  is  an  essential  part  of  Christ's 
salvation, — that  to  be  really  holy,  is  to  be  relatively 
holy :  when  I  meditate  on  the  duties  of  man  to  man, 
on  brotherly  affection,  and  on  all  the  charities  of  social 
life:— 

When  I  dwell  upon  those  obligations  which  are  laid 
upon  me  as  a  Christian,  to  fulfil  the  law  of  love  ;  -and 
contemplate  the  happiness,  connected  with  a  strict 
obedience  to  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel,  the  blessed- 
ness arising  from  a  kind  endeavour  to  make  others 
happy,  and  the  felicity,  flowing  from  a  consciousness 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  335 

of  desire  to  promote  by  prayer,  by  influence,  by  precept, 
and  example,  the  salvation  of  my  fellow  sinners  : — 

When  I  read  in  my  Bible,  the  reciprocal  duties  of 
rulers  and  subjects,  of  husbands  and  wives,  of  parents 
and  children,  of  masters  and  servants,  of  ministers 
and  people  ; — what  effect  have  these  important  duties 
on  my  life  and  conversation?  Am  I  walking  with 
steady  step  in  this  path  of  holy  obedience  ;  aiming,  in 
a  spirit  of  love,  to  fulfil  ihe  duties  of  ray  station  ;  Seek- 
ing to  attain  to  higher,  and  still  higher  degrees  of  ho- 
liness ;  and  devising  plans  of  usefulness,  which  may 
promote  the  temporal  and  eternal  interests  of  mankind  ? 

These  questions,  put  honestly  to  the  conscience, 
may  lead  us,  through  the  light  of  the  Spirit,  to  form 
some  judgment  of  our  state  before  God. 

The  difficulty  of  ascertaining  our  true  character,  ari- 
ses from  the  blinding  influence  of  self-love.  We  have, 
naturally,  a  fond  conceit  of  our  own  excellence,  and 
cannot  believe  that  our  hearts  are  so  bad  as  the  Bible 
declares  them  to  be.  We  can  speak  humbly  enough  of 
ourselves,  even  when  pride  is  whispering  that  we  are 
better  than  thousands  around  us  ;  but  we  cannot  bear 
to  hear  our  conduct  condemned  by  others.  Nothing  is 
more  common,  and  yet  nothing  more  dangerous,  than 
self-deception.  The  faithful  Apostle  gave  this  caution  to 
the  Corinthian  church,  "  Let  no  man  deceive  himself." 

How  dreadful,  when  the  soul  is  first  awakened  from 
its  delusion  in  the  place  of  torment.  This  tremendous 
circumstance  is  not  ideal.  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples, 
"  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me.  Lord,  Lord,  shall 


336  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  but  he  that  doeth 
the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  Many  will 
say  to  me  in  that  day,  Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  pro- 
phesied in  thy  name  1  And  in  thy  name  have  cast  out 
devils  ?  And  in  thy  name  have  done  many  wonderful 
works  ?  And  then,  will  1  profess  unto  them,  1  never 
knew  you  ;  depart  from  me,  ye  that  work  iniquity." 

The  foolish  virgins,  with  their  exhausted  lamps  and 
empty  vessels  said,  "  Lord,  Lord,  open  to  us."  But 
the  door  was  shut ;  and  being  once  closed,  was  closed 
for  ever !  These  virgins,  justly  called  foolish,  were 
self-deceivers.  They  represent,  by  parable,  thousands 
of  nominal  Christians,  who  rest  contented  with  the 
light  of  outward  profession,  without  examining  whether 
they  possess  the  grace  of  the  Spirit  in  their  hearts. 
These  persons,  having  a  name  that  they  live,  build 
upon  a  vague  hope  of  mercy,  while  utter  strangers  to 
the  sanctifying  influence  of  the  Gospel,  and  thus  per- 
ish in  their  sins. 

The  religion  of  Jesus  reveals  the  remedy  for  all 
these  evils.  Grace,  abounding  to  the  chief  of  sinners, 
through  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ,  was  the 
theme  which  kindled  into  a  flame  all  the  energies  of 
St.  Paul ;  and  if,  like  him,  we  are  taught  of  God  to 
know  the  truth,  and  to  feel  its  power,  it  will  kindle  ours. 

What  joy  springs  up  in  the  soul  of  a  sinner,  when 
Jesus  is  preached  in  all  the  fulness  of  his  salvation, 
and  received  in  the  simplicity  of  faith.  Christ  cruci- 
fied is  the  magnet  which  draws  away  the  heart  from 
earthly  things,  and  fixes  it  on  things  above.    To  feel 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  337 

the  holy  influence  of  this  mystery  of  love,  is  to  feel 
our  heaven  begun. 

Sovereign  grace  is  the  source  of  holiness  ;  for  what 
is  grace,  but  the  favour  of  God,  whereby  he  freely  im- 
parts to  perishing  sinners,  every  spiritual  blessing 
through  the  atonement  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Out  of  Christ,  God  is  a  consuming  fire.  In  Christ, 
he  is  the  Father  of  mercies. 

Out  of  Christ,  we  are  ignorant,  guilty,  polluted,  and 
enslaved.  In  Christ,  we  are  enlightened,  accepted  of 
God,  purified,  and  redeemed. 

Out  of  Christ,  we  are  hastening  fast  to  hell.  In 
Christ,  we  are  journeying  toward  the  bliss  of  heaven. 

Out  of  Christ,  eternity  is  full  of  torment.  In  Christ, 
it  is  filled  with  unspeakable  joy. 

Oh !  that  every  dying  sinner  would  reflect  on  these 
things  ere  it  be  too  late.  Many,  during  the  joyous  sea- 
son of  health  and  plenty,  treat  subjects  such  as  these 
with  a  scornful  smile.  But  their  summer-days  will  not 
last  for  ever.  The  wintry  season  of  afliiction  will 
quickly  come,  when  blooming  health  must  be  exchang- 
ed for  pallid  sickness,  and  splendid  opulence  for  a 
noisome  grave. 

The  rich  worldling  died ; — and  oh !  how  altered  his 
condition !  His  remains  were  drawn  to  the  tomb  with 
all  the  pomp  of  a  funeral  procession ; — but  his  soul 
was  hurried  to  the  place  of  torment. 

The  wretched  Lazarus  died ;  poor  but  pious.  No 
escutcheoned  hearse  conveyed  his  body  to  the  grave, 
but  waiting  angels  carried  his  spirit  to  the  joys  above 

Each  left  the  world  as  he  came  into  it; — bringing 
29 


338  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

nothing  in,  he  carried  nothing  out.  The  beggar  left  his 
rags,  the  rich  man  his  estates  behind  him.  Rank  and 
wealth,  though  ordained  of  God  for  useful  ends,  are 
but  temporal  distinctions.  They  cease  at  the  hour  of 
dissolution.  Riches  cannot  arrest  the  stroke  of  death, 
nor  procure  for  their  possessor  a  passport  to  heaven. 
Poverty  cannot  sharpen  its  sting,  nor  subtract  one  joy 
from  the  poorest  saint's  eternal  happiness.  One  mo- 
ment in  heaven  v^rill  convince  the  believer,  that  his  af- 
flictions upon  earth  were  light : — one  moment  in  hell 
will  convince  the  pleasure-loving  sinner,  that  it  would 
have  been  good  for  him,  if  he  had  never  been  born. 
Ah,  who  can  grasp  the  thought  of  never-ending  joy,  or 
everlasting  woe !  The  mind  labours  to  conceive,  and 
yet  can  never  reach  beyond  the  first  impression  of 
eternity.  Numbers,  years,  ages,  all,  all  are  lost  in  the 
immeasurable,  unfathomable  abyss  ? 

The  riches  of  grace  are  the  only  durable  riches, 
without  which  the  mightiest  monarchs  of  the  earth 
are  poor.  When  earth  with  all  its  glories  shall  have 
passed  away,  the  lowly  followers  of  Jesus  will  abide 
for  ever,  and  shine  forth  as  the  sun,  in  the  kingdom 
of  their  Father. 

How  difficult  it  is  to  get  heart-affecting  views  of  sin, 
of  Christ,  of  hell,  and  of  heaven.  We  talk  about 
them,  but  alas !  how  little  are  we  practically  affected 
by  them.  But  what  is  knowledge  without  practice  ; — 
or  feeling,  without  conversion  of  the  heart  to  God? 
Nothing  but  the  Spirit  of  Christ  can  open  our  eyes  to 
see  the  deformity  of  sin — the  preciousness  of  the 
Saviour — the  misery  of  hell — ^the  bliss  of  heaven. — 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  339 

"  Q,uick  as  the  apple  of  an  eye, 
O  God  my  conscience  make ; 
Awake  my  soul,  when  sin  is  nigh, 
And  keep  it  still  awake. 

"  O  may  the  least  omission  pain, 
My  well-instructed  soul ; 
And  drive  me  to  the  blood  again  , 

Which  makes  the  wounded  whi 

If  every  motion  of  the  soul,  which  does  not  spring 
from  love  to  the  Saviour,  be  sinful^  then,  what  innu- 
merable sins  crowd  into  the  space  of  every  fleeting 
hour !  What  an  immense  amount  at  the  close  of  a 
long  life  !  This  view  is  indeed  overwhelming.  Oh ! 
that  it  may  at  once  humble  us,  and  lead  us  to  the  Lamb 
of  God,  whose  blood  can  wash  away  our  guilty  stains, 
— whose  love  can  cast  our  sins  into  the  depths  of  the 
sea. 

Who  can  adequately  conceive  of  hell,  and  all  its 
horrors ; — of  heaven,  and  all  its  glories.  We  are  now 
standing  on  the  brink  of  death.  Before  us,  lies  an 
eternal  world.  Soon  we  must  enter  into  it.  But  how 
shall  we  enter  it  ?  As  we  die,  so  shall  we  appear  at 
the  throne  of  God.  We  may  die  this  very  day.  What 
then  is  our  present  state  ?  Are  we  prepared  by  deep 
repentance,  humble  faith,  and  holy  love,  to  meet  our 
God  ?  Oh !  let  us  not  suffer  one  fleeting  hour  to  es- 
cape, till  the  important  enquiry  be  solemnly  made ; 
and  an  answer  of  peace  be  graciously  obtained.  Let 
us  now  go  to  Jesus, — bow  lowly  at  his  feet, — place 
ourselves  beneath  the  droppings  of  his  blood, — cast 
our  eyes  upon  him  in  faith,  and  fix  them  there,  till  he 
remove  us  to  that  blissful  place  where  we  shall  for 


340  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ever  dwell  beneath  his  smiles,  and  grieve  him  by  our 
sins  no  more. 

"  What  love,  what  pleasure,  what  surprise, 
Shall  fill  the  enraptur'd  heirs  of  heav'n, 
The  day  the  Saviour  meets  their  eyes, 
The  day  the  promis'd  rest  is  giv'n. 

"  Their  love  is  kindled  here  below. 

The  Author  of  their  hope  they  love ; 
A  purer,  brighter  flame  will  glow, 
In  yonder  glorious  world  above. 

"  Of  pleasure  too  they  taste  below. 

But  pleasure  not  unmix'd  with  pain ; 
In  yonder  world  'twill  not  be  so. 
For  there  no  sorrow  will  remain. 

"  And  if  obscure  and  transient  views 

Of  heaven'ly  things  give  such  surprise, 
What  wonder  must  the  sight  produce, 
When  God  appears  before  their  eyes  1 

"  O  joyful  sight  1  O  glorious  day. 

When  God  the  Saviour  shall  be  seen ; 
When  earthly  thiiiga  sUnll  pass  away, 

And  heav'u's  unchanging  state  begio.** 


CHAPTER  XX. 

On  gospel  sanctification  as  stated  by  ST.  Paul 

IN  HIS  EPISTLES. 

Like  a  wise  master-builder  St.  Paul  laid  the  true  foun- 
dation— Jesus  Christ ;  and  built  thereon  a  sacred  edi- 
fice of  heavenly  graces,  more  valuable  than  gold,  and 
silver,  and  precious  stones. 

Those  who  study  the  nature  of  the  Gospel,  and  live 
under  its  power,  both  know,  and  can  enter  into  its 
blessed  design.  AH  its  doctrines,  precepts,  and  prom- 
ises, are  calculated  to  abase  the  pride  of  man,  to  exalt 
the  glory  of  Christ,  to  reveal  the  malignity  of  sin,  the 
beauty  of  holiness,  the  vanity  of  the  world,  the  bliss 
of  heaven ;  to  show  the  sinner  his  utter  helplessness, 
and  to  reveal  to  him  an  all-sufficient  Saviour, — for 
proud  man  must  be  humbled,  the  idol  self  must  be  de- 
throned. 

Hence,  we  find  that  human  merit  is  altogether  ex- 
cluded from  the  system  of  St.  Paul's  theology.  Being 
illuminated  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  preached  the  truth 
without  any  mixture  of  error.  There  are  no  dispro- 
portions, no  disfiguring  features  in  his  portraiture  of 
Eternal  Truth.  Perfection  in  all  its  parts  bespeaks  its 
Divine  original. 

With  uncompromising  firmness  he  declares, — that 
faith  is  the  gift  of  God ;  that  we  are  justified  by  faith ; 
29* 


342  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

that  Christ  dwells  in  our  hearts  by  faith ;  that  we  walk 
by  faith  ;  that  we  are  the  children  of  God  by  faith. 

It  was  therefore  to  the  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus,  that 
the  Apostle  wrote  with  such  affectionate  entreaty  ;  "  I 
beseech  you,  that  ye  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation 
wherewith  ye  are  called,  with  all  lowliness  and  meek- 
ness ;  with  long-suffering,  forbearing  one  another  in 
love,  endeavouring  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in 
the  bond  of  peace.  Be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  ten- 
der-hearted, forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  hath  forgiven  you.  Be  ye  therefore 
followers  of  God  as  dear  children,  and  walk  in  love, 
as  Christ  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  himself  for 
us,  an  offering  and  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  sweet  smell- 
ing savour." 

How  powerfully  does  he  inculcate  the  duty  of  uni- 
versal holiness  :  "  Whatsoever  things  are  true,  what- 
soever things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just, 
whatsoever  things  are  lovely,  whatsoever  things  are 
of  good  report :  if  there  be  any  virtue,  and  if  there  be 
any  praise,  think  on  these  things.  Those  things  which 
ye  have  both  learned,  and  received,  and  heard,  and 
seen  in  me,  do  ;  and  the  God  of  peace  shall  be  with 
you." 

With  such  exhortations  to  holy  obedience,  how 
strange  that  any  reflecting  mind  should,  for  a  moment, 
charge  the  doctrine  of  grace  with  having  a  licentious 
tendency.  Yet,  there  were  persons,  as  we  have 
already  noticed,  who  were  base  enough  to  abuse  the 
grace  of  the  Gospel.  The  champion  for  the  Truth 
Jiesitated  not  to  call  them  "  the  enemies  of  Christ, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  343 

whose  end  is  destruction."  So  carefully  did  he  guard 
believers  against  those  evils  of  our  nature,  which, 
when  brought  into  contact  with  the  Gospel,  destroy  its 
sufficiency  by  self-righteousness — its  purity  by  antino- 
mianism. 

With  peculiar  emphasis,  almost  bordering  on  indig- 
nation, he  asks  these  abusers  of  the  Gospel :  "  Whsit 
shall  we  say  then  ?  Shall  we  continue  in  sin,  that 
grace  may  abound?  God  forbid  !  How  shall  we  that 
are  dead  to  sin,  live  any  longer  therein  ?"  And  then, 
after  showing  the  sanctifying  nature  of  true  faith  in 
Christ,  he  gives  the  believer  this  blessed  assurance ; 
"  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you,  for  ye  are  not 
under  the  Law  but  under  grace." 

In  all  periods  of  the  Church,  Satan  has  sown  his 
tares  anjong  the  wheat.  This  state  of  the  visible 
Church,  is  declared  by  our  divine  Saviour,  in  various 
parables  of  exquisite  beauty.  The  good  and  bad  fishes 
— the  wise  and  foolish  virgins — the  fruitful  and  barren 
branches — the  guests  with,  and  the  one  without,  a 
wedding  garment,  are  all  designed  to  illustrate  this 
truth  : — that  as  they  are  not  all  Israel,  which  are  of 
Israel,  so  neither  are  they  all  true  Christians,  who 
profess  to  be  members  of  Christ. 

St.  Paul,  with  his  usual  discrimination  of  character, 
has  given  us  the  distinctive  features  of  these  two 
classes ;  the  one  holding  the  Truth  in  unrighteous- 
ness ; — the  other,  holding  the  Mystery  of  the  Faith  in 
a  pure  conscience. 

O !  that  we  could  enter,  by  sweet  experience,  into 
the  Apostle's  charge  to  the  Christian*',  at  Philippi : — - 


344  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

"  Do  all  things  without  murmurings  and  disputings,  that 
ye  may  be  blameless  and  harmless,  the  sons  of  God 
without  rebuke,  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and  perverse 
nation,  among  whom  ye  shine  as  lights  in  the  world, 
holding  forth  the  word  of  life,  that  I  may  rejoice  in  the 
day  of  Christ,  that  I  have  not  run  in  vain,  neither  la- 
boured in  vain.  Only  let  your  conversation  be  as  it 
becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  that  whether  I  come, 
or  else  be  absent,  1  may  hear  of  your  affairs,  that  ye 
stand  fast  in  one  spirit,  with  one  mind,  striving  togeth- 
er for  the  faith  of  the  Gospel." 

How  meek  and  gentle,  how  harmless  and  unoffend- 
ing were  these  early  followers  of  the  lowly  Jesus ; 
and  yet,  how  bold  and  fearless  in  their  confessions  of 
Christ,  before  an  ungodly  world.  They  shrunk  indeed 
from  sin,  but  not  from  suffering  for  the  Gospel's  sake. 
— 0  that  we  could  resemble  these  primitive  believers 
who  were  the  lights  of  the  world,  and  the  salt  of  the 
earth.  Their  spirituality  of  mind,  their  joy  through 
believing,  their  renunciation  of  self  and  worldly  great- 
ness, formed  those  lovely  features  of  the  new  creature, 
which  the  Apostle  so  admirably  described  when  draw- 
ing his  own  character  to  the  Phillippian  converts ; 
"  We  are  the  circumcision,  which  worship  God  in  the 
spirit,  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  have  no  confidence 
in  the  flesh."  O  that  the  Spirit  may  be  poured  out 
upon  all  our  churches ;  then  the  world  would  once 
more  see  the  beauty  of  Christianity  in  the  holy  lives 
of  its  professors. 

These  extracts,  though  forming  a  small  part  of  those 
exhortations  to  holiness,  and  cautions  against  sin,  with 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  345 

which  his  Epistles  abounded,  show  the  infinite  value 
of  the  Book  of  God, — that  storehouse  of  heavenly- 
wisdom.  Following  its  holy  light,  through  the  gui- 
dance of  the  Spirit,  the  believer  is  led  into  all  truth, 
comforted  under  trials,  guarded  against  temptations, 
directed  to  the  right  performance  of  relative  duties, 
and  taught  how  he  ought  to  walk  and  please  God. 

"  The  blessing  of  heaven  resting  upon  the  devout 
study  of  the  Bible,  often  induces  those  long  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins  to  turn  from  the  errors  of  their 
ways,  and  save  their  souls  alive.  The  Ethiopian  may 
change  his  skin,  and  the  leopard  his  spots,  because 
the  Agent  of  the  transformation  is  Almighty  :  and  they 
may  also  do  good,  who  are  accustomed  to  do  evil.  If 
we  expect  a  moral  and  religious  population,  we  must 
lay  the  foundation  deep  in  an  early  acquaintance  with 
the  sanction  of  the  Law,  and  the  merits  of  the  Gospel : 
we  must  endeavour  to  impress  the  lessons  of  Divine 
Truth  upon  the  minds  of  the  young,  while  their  atten- 
tion is  pliant  and  their  affections  warm  ;  while  they 
are  yet,  as  much  as  possible  unspotted  from  the  world, 
and  before  contact  with  sinful  seductions  shall  have 
diffused  its  chilling  influence  over  their  hearts.  If  the 
duty  be  important,  it  should  be  early  commenced :  if 
the  undertaking  be  difficult,  it  should  be  entered  upon 
without  delay.  '  If  we  have  run  with  the  footmen,  and 
they  have  wearied  us,  then  how  can  we  contend  with 
horses  1  and  if  in  the  land  of  peace  wherein  we  trust- 
ed they  wearied  us,  then  how  shall  we  do  in  the 
swelling  of  Jordan  V  " 

We  cannot  sufficiently  value  the  Records  of  Eternal 


346  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

Truth.  The  more  we  love  the  Bible,  the  more  will 
its  holy  influence  be  visible  in  our  lives. 

The  true  believer  in  Jesus,  when  living  under  the 
influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  clothed  with  humility, 
the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  his  heart ;  the  peace 
of  God  rules  within  him ;  he  is  adorned  with  the  or- 
nament of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit ;  he  rejoices  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  ;  he  abounds  in  hope, 
through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  receives 
the  end  of  his  faith,  even  the  salvation  of  his  soul. 
Such  will  be  our  character,  and  such  our  privileges,  if 
like  him  we  feel  the  power  of  grace  in  our  hearts.  If 
our  affections  are  set  on  things  above,  we  also  shall  be 
safe,  whatever  storms  may  agitate  the  world ;  and  if 
our  life  be  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  we  shall  have  a 
sure  refuge  against  the  rage  of  Satan,  and  the  fear  of 
death.  While  the  worlding's  treasure  is  fadin^  as  the 
tints  of  evening,  our  portion  will  be  glorious  as  the 
days  of  heaven  ;  for  God  will  be  our  everlasting  light, 
and  the  Lamb  our  glory.  How  loosely  then  should 
we  sit  to  all  things  here  below.  Oh  that  we  could 
practically  learn  to  cease  from  man,  whose  breath 
is  in  his  nostrils ;  for  wherein  is  he  to  be  account- 
ed of  ? 

May  every  heart  be  impressed  with  the  Apostle's 
appeal  to  the  church  of  Corinth  :  "  Brethren,  the  time 
is  short.  It  remaineth,  that  both  they  that  have  wives, 
be  as  though  they  had  none  ;  and  they  that  weep,  as 
though  they  wept  not ;  and  they  that  rejoice,  as  though 
they  rejoiced  not ;  and  they  that  buy,  as  though  they 
possessed   not ;    and  they  that  use   this   world,   as 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  347 

not  abusing  it ;  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth 
away." 

The  more  we  contemplate  the  holiness  of  God,  and 
the  nature  of  our  redemption  by  Jesus  Christ,  the  more 
we  must  be  convinced,  that  sanctification  is  the  beauty 
and  the  health  of  the  soul.  The  holy  Christian  is  the 
happy  Christian.  He  may,  and  must  have  troubles  as 
he  journeys  to  his  heavenly  rest ;  but  so  long  as  Jesus 
is  his  guide  and  guardian,  darkness  may  reign  without, 
but  all  shall  be  peace  and  light  within. 

What  lies  nearest  to  our  hearts  ?  All  men  propose 
some  object  to  themselves,  to  attain  which,  their  ut- 
most energies  are  directed.  Some  pant  after  honour, 
some  after  pleasure,  and  many  after  wealth.  What 
are  we  most  anxious  to  possess  ?  Is  it  the  favour  of 
God  ?  is  it  an  interest  in  the  atonement  Jesus  ? — or, 
are  we  only  thirsting  after  earthly  things  ?  Blessed 
indeed  are  we,  if  to  do  the  Will  of  God  be  the  great 
object  of  our  lives  ; — if  to  walk  agreeably  to  the  light 
of  His  revealed  Word,  be  our  one  undeviating  aim. 
Jesus  as  our  perfect  pattern,  left  us  an  example  that 
we  should  follow  his  steps.  The  more  we  drink  into 
his  spirit,  the  more  we  shall  love  and  obey  our  heavenly 
Father,  enjoy  a  foretaste  of  heavenly  bliss,  and  be  pre- 
pared for  heavenly  glory.  True  happiness  would  soon 
revisit  our  world,  were  the  name  of  God  universally 
hallowed, — were  his  kingdom  set  up  in  every  heart, 
— were  his  will  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven. — 0 
when  will  this  happy  period  arrive.  A  great  blessing 
is  promised,  but  this  blessing  must  be  sought  for  by 
fervent  believing  prayer.    Christ  was  the  glorious  pro- 


348  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

mise  under  the  Old  Testament  Dispensation  ; — the 
Holy  Ghost  is  the  gracious  promise  under  the  New. 
For  this  Gift,  Jesus  himself,  as  Mediator,  intercedes 
for  his  people  ; — "  I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  shall 
give  you  another  Comforter,  that  he  may  abide  with 
you  for  ever,  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth."  For  this  gift 
he  commands  us  to  pray  with  assurance  of  success ; 
"  If  ye,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts 
unto  your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your 
heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask 
him." 

O !  that  Christians  of  every  name,  may  be  stirred 
up  to  seek  the  Lord  till  he  come  and  rain  down  righte- 
ousness upon  us  ;  till  the  Spirit,  being  poured  out  from 
on  high,  fill  our  world  with  light  and  love,  with  peace 
and  purity,  with  grace  and  glory. 

Divine  Truth,  like  the  meridian  sun,  shines  with  re- 
splendent lustre  in  the  Book  of  God.  The  glory  of 
Jehovah  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  all  its  revelations. 
Is  a  world  created  ? — it  is  by  the  Word  of  God.  Is  a 
world  redeemed  ? — it  is  through  the  love  of  God. 
Every  blessing  flows  from  him — all  praise  belongs  to 
him.  Pride  wants  its  share  of  merit  in  the  work  of 
redemption,  but  Truth  levels  the  proud  pretension  with 
the  dust. 

With  what  force  does  the  Apostle  repel  the  self- 
righteous  plea,  and  refute  the  sceptical  cavil.  In  all 
his  writings,  he  maintains  one  constant  truth, — "  By 

grace  are  ye  saved, not  of  works,  lest  any  mau 

should  boast." 

The  author  of  all  holiness  is  Almighty  God ;  for  we 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  349 

are  his  workmanship,  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto 
good  works,  which  God  hath  before  ordained,  that  we 
should  walk  in  them. 

The  meritorious  cause  of  sanctification  is  Jesus 
Christ ;  who,  by  his  death  and  obedience,  has  pro- 
cured for  us  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  renew  our 
souls  after  his  image  in  righteousness  and  true  holi- 
ness ;  and  therefore  he  is  made  unto  us  sanctification. 

The  instruments  which  God  employs  in  the  hand  of 
the  Spirit,  to  produce  the  blessing  of  holiness,  are  his 
Word  and  Sacraments,  the  ministers  of  his  Gospel, 
and  the  various  dispensations  of  his  providence. 

Gospel  sanctification  consists  in  the  mortification  of 
our  corrupt  affections,  whereby  the  power  of  original 
sin  is  weakened  :  and  in  the  vivification  or  quickening 
of  our  souls  to  a  new  and  divine  life,  whereby  habitual 
acts  of  filial  obedience  are  performed. 

The  work  of  sanctification  extends  to  the  whole 
man  ;  body,  soul,  and  spirit.  The  design  of  God,  in 
our  sanctification  is,  that  the  mind  be  enlightened  to 
know  himself  as  the  chief  good,  and  his  mercy  in  Christ 
as  the  highest  blessing  ;  that  we  be  made  acquainted 
with  the  corruption  of  our  nature,  and  the  remedy  which 
he  has  provided  ;  that  our  will  be  moulded  into  his  Will, 
and  our  constant  aim  be,  the  promotion  of  his  glory  ; 
that  the  memory  be  stored  with  heavenly  truths,  and 
daily  replenished  from  his  Holy  Word  with  new  sub- 
jects for  delightful  meditation  ;  that  the  conscience  be 
made  tender  and  alive  to  the  calls  of  the  Spirit,  afraid 
of  sin,  while  delivered  from  guilty  fears  through  the 
blood  of  Jesus  ;  that  the  affections  of  love,  joy,  grief, 
30 


« 


350  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE,  " 

and  fear,  be  all  brought  under  due  regulation,  through 
the  indwelling  Spirit,  and  made  to  run  in  one  uniform 
channel  of  evangelical  holiness : — that  those  desires 
of  the  soul,  which  are  of  a  more  animal  nature,  be 
brought  into  subjection  to  the  Law  of  Christ ;  while 
the  body  is  made  subservient  to  the  powers  of  the  re- 
newed mind. 

Such  ought  to  be  the  happy  state  of  every  true  be- 
liever in  Jesus ;  and  such,  in  some  measure,  is  his 
state,  when  he  walks  in  love,  and  in  the  light  of  the 
divine  favour. 

But,  it  may  be  asked — Is  his  sanctification,  while  in 
the  body,  complete  and  entire,  wanting  nothing  ?  Alas  ! 
no.  Although  the  above  description  is  true,  with 
respect  to  what  the  Holy  Spirit  produces  in  the  soul, 
as  all  his  works  are  like  himself,  pure  and  holy :  yet, 
through  the  remainders  of  corruption,  this  blessed  work 
is  greatly  impeded  and  retarded  in  its  growth.  There 
still  remains  much  darkness  to  be  dissipated  from  the 
mind ;  much  selfishness  to  be  subdued  in  the  will ; 
much  forgetfulness  of  God  to  be  rectified  in  the  me- 
mory ;  much  hardness  to  be  softened  in  the  conscience  ; 
much  irregularity  to  be  removed  from  the  afi"ections  ; 
much  self-indulgence  to  be  mortified  in  the  animal 
passions.  All  this  creates  that  conflict,  that  up-hill 
work,  that  struggling,  and  wrestling,  and  fighting,  that 
earnestness  in  prayer,  that  cleaving  to  Jesus,  that  reli- 
ance on  his  grace,  that  display  of  his  power,  that  ex- 
ercise of  his  mercy,  which  are  constantly  experienced 
in  the  eventful  life  of  the  true  believer. 

All  these  things  St.  Paul  felt  when  he  said :  "  I  run 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  351 

— I  fight — I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into 
subjection ;  I  count  not  myself  to  have  apprehended. 
But  this  one  thing  I  do  ;  I  press  toward  the  mark,  for 
the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus." 
And  what  was  the  mark  at  which  the  Apostle  aimed  ? 
— ^perfect  holiness. — And  what  the  prize  which  he 
longed  to  attain? — ^perfect  happiness  through  Christ 
Jesus.  This  is  the  longing  desire  and  aim  of  every 
true  believer. 

Is  this  our  experience?  Can  we  say  with  the 
Apostle — "  when  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong?"  Con- 
scious of  our  spiritual  weakness,  and  in  full  reliance 
on  the  strength  of  Jesus,  do  we  in  faith  draw  out  of 
his  fulness  grace  for  grace  ?  The  enemy  may  alarm, 
but  he  cannot  destroy  the  children  of  God,  for  whom 
Christ  died.  How  sweetly  consoling  are  the  Saviour's 
words :  "  Ye  now  have  sorrow :  but  I  will  see  you 
again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your  joy,  no 
man  taketh  from  you." 

Whilst  running  the  heavenly  race,  the  believer  has 
many  hindrances,  and  many  helps.  Does  the  Devil 
walk  about  as  a  roaring  lion,  seeking  whom  he  may 
devour  ? — In  this  can  he  rejoice,  that,  angels  are  mi- 
nistering spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister  for  them  who 
shall  be  heirs  of  salvation. 

O  how  numberless  are  the  mercies  of  Jesus,  how 
multiplied  the  devices  and  depths  of  Satan.  The 
power  of  this  arch-deceiver,  though  limited  and  re- 
strained, is  yet  truly  awful.  The  Scriptures  style  him, 
"  the  god  of  this  world,"  so  extensive  is  his  influence 
over  the  hearts  of  men.     They  declare  that,  "  he  that 


352  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

committeth  sin  is  of  the  Devil,"  because  he  blindeth 
the  minds  of  them  that  believe  not ;  and,  worketh  in 
the  children  of  disobedience. 

Are  the  children  of  God  out  of  the  reach  of  this 
evil  one,  whilst  journeying  to  their  eternal  rest?  ah! 
no.  What  saith  the  Scriptures  ?  "  Satan  stood  up 
against  Israel,  and  provoked  David  to  number  Israel — 
and  God  was  displeased  with  this  thing."  Jesus  said 
to  Peter, — "  Simon,  Simon,  behold  Satan  hath  desired 
to  have  you,  that  he  may  sift  you  as  wheat." — "  Some," 
says  St.  Paul,  "  are  already  turned  aside  after  Satan.*' 
— "  We  would  have  come  unto  you,  even  I  Paul,  once 
and  again,  but  Satan  hindered  us."  The  spotless  Je- 
sus himself  was  tempted  by  the  Devil  in  the  wilder- 
ness, whom  he  drove  back  by  this  powerful  word, 
"  Get  thee  hence  Satan." 

Fear  not  then,  thou  tempted  saint.  Jesus,  in  whom 
thou  believest,  hath  vanquished  this  roaring  lion.  Art 
thou  helpless  in  thyself?  Hear  what  St.  John  saith, 
— "  Greater  is  he  that  is  in  you,  than  he  that  is  in  the 
world."  Art  thou  afraid  of  falling,  one  day,  by  the 
hand  of  thy  spiritual  foe  ?  Hear  what  St.  Paul  saith, 
"  God  shall  bruise  Satan  under  your  feet  shortly." 
Then  let  us  not  despond.  The  Spirit  of  God,  who 
dwelleth  in  the  hearts  of  his  people,  will  make  us 
more  than  conquerors  through  Christ  Jesus.  How 
gracious  are  the  words  of  Jesus  to  Peter  when  Satan 
desired  to  sift  him, — "  1  have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy 
faith  fail  not."  How  cheering  his  love  to  Paul  when 
huffetted  by  Satan ;  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee." 

0  may  we  ever  lean  upon  our  loving  Saviour,  whose 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  353 

power  is  infinite.  Blessed  are  they  who  hear  his 
voice,  who  follow  him  in  faith  and  patience,  through 
evil,  as  well  as  good  report.  They  and  they  only  are 
the  sheep  of  his  pasture,  who  thus  look  unto  him  and 
live  upon  him  as  the  bread  of  life.  Jesus  hath  pur- 
chased them  with  his  own  blood,  he  will  preserve  them 
by  his  power,  and  present  them  faultless  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy. 

This  Truth,  the  holy  Apostle  declared  with  an  in- 
spired distinctness  to  the  church  at  Rome :  "  When 
we  were  without  strength,  in  due  time  Christ  died  for 
the  ungodly.  God  commended  his  love  toward  us,  in 
that  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 
Much  more,  then,  being  justified  by  his  blood,  we 
shall  be  saved  from  wrath  through  him.  For  if,  when 
we  were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God,  by  the 
death  of  his  Son,  much  more,  being  reconciled,  we 
shall  be  saved  by  his  life." 

Oh!  blessed  and  consolatory  conclusion  !  Can  we 
now  for  a  moment  doubt  his  willingness  to  save  ?  Did 
he  die  for  us,  and  will  he  not  preserve  us  ?  Did  he 
pray  for  us,  and  will  he  not  hear  our  prayers  ?  Did 
he  invite  us  to  come,  and  will  he  forbid  our  approach  ? 
His  compassion  is  not  diminished,  because  he  is  now 
in  glory.  His  love  is  not  abated,  because  the  heavens 
have  received  him  out  of  our  sight.  His  tenderness 
is  not  less  susceptible,  now  that  he  is  removed  from 
the  innocent  infirmities  of  our  nature.  He  still  can 
be  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities.  He 
still  feels  in  heaven,  for  his  poor  afilicted  members  up- 
on earth.  Though  Lord  of  all,  having  all  power  in 
30* 


854 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 


heaven  and  in  earth,  he  is  not  insensible  to  the  need 
of  his  people.  He  is  their  friend,  who  loveth  at  all 
times  ;  and  who,  when  they  are  gathered  together  in 
his  name,  is  ever  in  the  midst  of  them.  If  persecuted 
for  his  sake,  he  graciously  identifies  himself  with 
them  :  "  Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  ?"  If 
relieved,  in  the  name  of  a  disciple,  he  condescendingly 
accepts  the  benefit,  as  done  to  himself:  "  Inasmuch  as 
ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my 
brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  we." 

Oh  how  inconceivably  great  is  such  love  as  this  ! 
Well  might  the  grateful  Apostle,  who  was  himself  a 
"wonderful  subject  of  it,  fervently  pray,  that  the  Ephe- 
sians  might  know  the  love  of  Christ  which  passeth 
knowledge,  and  be  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. 

Jesus,  having  loved  his  own,  will  love  them  unto  the 
end,  and  glorify  them  with  his  own  glory.  His  work 
and  ways,  like  Himself,  are  infinite  and  everlasting. 

The  graces  of  God's  Spirit  are  not,  in  the  hearts  of 
his  children,  like  morning  mists  which  soon  disperse  ; 
— they  resemble  the  morning  light,  which  shineth  more 
and  more,  unto  the  perfect  day.  Their  faith,  like  a 
well-built  tower,  whose  foundation  is  laid  in  a  rock, 
can  withstand  the  assaults  of  the  enemy,  and  the  rag- 
ing of  the  storm. 

What  are  all  enemies  and  storms,  however  powerful 
ind  violent,  when  brought  into  contest  with  Jehovah 
Jesus  ?  They  are  weak  as  the  chaff  before  the  whirl- 
wind :  or,  as  the  flax  before  the  devouring  fire.  In 
the  strength  of  Christ  we  must,  and  shall  prevail. 

Let  us  then  trust,  and  not  be  afraid  of  the  fury  of 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  355 

the  oppressor,  as  if  he  were  ready  to  destroy,  Jesus 
ever  reigns.  Reposing  with  stedfast  faith  on  his  Di- 
vinity, atonement,  and  intercession,  we  may  smile  in 
the  midst  of  danger,  having  nothing  to  fear  but  sin. 

How  precious  are  these  truths,  whose  everlasting 
lines  gladden  and  support  the  Church :  "/As  the  hea- 
ven is  high  above  the  earth,  so  great  is  his  mercy  to- 
ward them  that  fear  him.  As  far  as  the  East  is  from 
the  West,  so  far  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions 
from  us.  As  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord 
pitieth  them  that  fear  him." 

"  My  Father  knows  my  feeble  frame, 
He  knows  how  poor  I  am  ; 

Untold  he  knows  it  all : 
The  least  temptation  serves  to  draw 
My  footsteps  from  my  Father's  law, 

And  make  me  slide  and  fall. 

"  Of  this,  I  give  him  daily  proof, 
And  yet  he  does  not  cast  me  off, 

But  owns  me  still  as  his  ; 
He  spares,  he  pities,  he  forgives 
The  most  rebellious  child  that  lives, 
So  great  his  patience  is. 
"  And  shall  I  then  a  pretext  draw 
Again  to  violate  his  law  1  , 

My  soul  revolts  at  this : 
I'll  love,  and  wonder,  and  adore, 
And  beg  that  I  may  sin  no  more 
Against  such  love  as  his. " 

Contemplate,  O  my  soul,  with  rising  admiration,  the*^ 
love  of  God  to  sinners.  Contemplate  the  freeness,  the 
fulness,  the  fitness,  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ's  salva- 
tion. Contemplate  the  gracious  work  of  the  divine 
Spirit,  in  its  beginning,  progress,  and  completion  ;  till 
all  thy  powers  are  lost  in  wonder,  love,  and  praise. 

How  amazing  is  the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our 


356  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Saviour  to  dying  sinners,  who  cast  themselves  upon 
his  mercy,  atid  stay  upon  his  vi^ord.  He  infuses  into 
their  souls  a  principle  of  spiritual  life,  which  is  no  less 
than  eternal  life  begun.  He  creates  a  divine  light  in 
their  minds,  which  discovers  their  disease  and  their 
remedy.  He  imparts  His  strength,  by  which  they 
persevere,  and  conquer.  He  becomes  their  sun  and 
shield  ;  and  gives  them  grace  and  glory.  He  declares 
them  to  be  his  portion,  to  whom  it  is  his  good  pleasure 
to  give  the  kingdom. 

The  Father  hath  prepared  this  kingdom  for  them, 
from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  Jesus  is  gone  to 
prepare  a  place  for  them  in  the  mansions  of  glory. 
The  Spirit  descends  into  their  hearts  to  make  them  a 
prepared  people,  and  to  consecrate  them  as  temples  of 
the  living  God.  The  precious  blood  of  Jesus  clean- 
seth  them  from  all  sin.  His  glorious  righteousness 
claims  their  admittance  into  the  celestial  city,  and  pro- 
cures their  acceptance  with  the  Father.  His  lovely 
image  is  drawn  in  lines  of  grace  upon  their  souls,  by 
the  unerring  hand  of  the  Eternal  Spirit.  His  count- 
less promises  are  their  daily  food  and  portion ;  and 
like  reviving  cordials,  strengthen  them  when  labouring 
under  trials,  and  contending  with  the  prince  of  dark- 
ness. Should  not  such  love,  of  which  these  instances 
are  but  as  a  drop  compared  to  the  mighty  ocean,  con- 
strain thee,  O  my  soul,  to  love,  with  all  thy  powers, 
this  adorable  Redeemer? 

To  live  to  Christ  should  indeed  be  the  business  of 
thy  life  ;  and  if  thy  business,  God  will  assuredly  make 
it  thy  blessedness. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

On  the  special  gifts  of  god.  The  importance  of 
humility  in  contemplating  the  purposes  of  je- 
HOVAH.      The  STABILITY  OF  THE  NEW  COVENANT. 

How  precious  are  the  gifts  of  God ;  no  human  mind 
can  estimate  their  worth ;  their  vahie  exceeds  an  an- 
gel's computation.  With  overflowing  gratitude  let  us 
hourly  bless  our  heavenly  Father : 

For  the  gift  of  his  Son, — 

"  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  be- 
gotten Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should 
not  peris^but  have  everlasting  life  :" 

For  the  gift  of  his  Holy  Spirit, — 

"  If  ye,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  un- 
to your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly 
Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him :" 

For  the  gift  of  a  new  heart, — 

"  A  new  heart  will  I  give  you ;  and  a  new  spirit 
will  I  put  within  you  :" 

For  the  gift  of  inward  peace  through  the 
Son  of  his  love, — 

"  My  peace  I  give  unto  you  :  not  as  the  world  giv- 
eth,  give  I  unto  you  :" — 

For  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, — 

"  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God  :" 

For  the  gift  of  Eternal  Life, — 

"  The  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord." 


358  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE 

God,  who  is  infinite  in  love,  does  not  give  and  then 
take  away.  Of  the  perpetuity  of  his  gifts  we  have 
abundant  assurances  in  his  Holy  Word.  Jesus  said 
to  his  disciples,  "  If  any  man  love  me,  he  will  keep 
my  words,  and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will 
come  unto  him,  and  make  our  abode  with  him.  I  will 
pray  the  Father,  and  he  shall  give  you  another  Com- 
forter, that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever."  God  has 
secured,  by  promise,  the  stability  of  his  people  : — "  I 
will  put  my  fear  into  their  hearts,  that  they  shall  not 
depart  from  me."  St.  Peter  hath  affirmed,  "  The 
"Word  of  the  Lord  endureth  for  ever,  and  this  is  the 
Word  which  by  the  Gospel  is  preached  unto  you." 
And  Jesus  to  complete  the  full  assurarfte  of  l^pe,  hath 
declared,  "  If  any  man  serve  me,  let  him  follow  me  ; 
and  where  I  am,  there  shall  also  my  servant  be.  Fath- 
er, I  will,  that  they  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be  with 
me  where  I  am,  that  they  may  behold  my  glory." 

On  what  an  immoveable  rock  does  the  believer  in 
Jesus  rest  all  his  hopes  of  heaven.  The  eternal  truth 
and  faithfulness  of  Jehovah  are  engaged  in  covenant, 
to  secure  tTie  final  happiness  of  his  people. 

But,  does  God  never  recall  any  of  his  gifts  ?  He 
does  indeed  frequently  resume  what  he  has  only  lent ; 
such  as  health,  riches,  friends,  and  other  temporal 
comforts  :  and  often  in  righteous  judgment,  he  hides 
his  face  from  us : — but  his  new  covenant  blessings, 
which  he  gives  in,  and  with,  and  through  his  beloved 
Son, /^e  gives  for  ever;  for  the  gifts  and  calling  of 
God  are  without  repentance. 

Hence,  St.  Paul  could  say  to  the  Corinthians,  "  Ye 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  359 

come  behind  in  no  gift,  waiting  for  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  confirm  you  unto  the  end, 
that  ye  may  be  blameless  in  the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  God  is  faithful,  by  whom  ye  were  called  unto 
the-  fellowship  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."  To 
the  Philippians  he  gave  the  same  blessed  assurance  ; 
"  Being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  he  which 
hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you,  will  perform  it  until 
the  day  of  Jesus  Christ,  even  as  it  is  meet  for  me  to 
think  this  of  you  all,  inasmuch  as  ye  are  partakers  of 
my  grace." 

Happy,  thrice  happy  is  the  man,  who,  like  Mary, 
hath  chosen  that  good  part,  which  shall  not  be  taken 
away  froij  him.  These  truths  may  be  called  the  cM- 
drens  bread.  They  are  the  never-failing  support  and 
cordial  of  holy  souls,  who  know  by  sweet  experience 
the  sanctifying  grace  of  the  Spirit,  the  blessedness  of 
being  rooted  and  grounded  in  love,  and  the  consolation 
arising  from  a  firm  hold  of  the  promises  made  to  them 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

Those  who  know  not  the  Truth,  through  the  teach- 
ing of  the  Spirit,  may  abuse  these  privileges  of  the 
true  believer,  by  sporting  themselves  with  their  own 
deceivings,  and  throwing  the  rein  upon  the  neck  of 
their  lusts.  But,  must  we  on  that  account  withhold 
the  heavenly  manna  !  Must  the  children  perish  for 
want  of  bread,  because  some  vitiated  hearts  may  de- 
stroy its  wholesome  quality  ?  Shall  fragrant  flowers 
no  longer  scatter  their  perfume,'  because  a  few  of  them 
may  be  converted  to  pernicious  purposes  ?  Would  we 
desire  the  Almighty  to  withhold  his  providential  bles- 


360  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

sings,  because  they  are  often  perverted  and  abused  ? 
As  it  was  in  the  days  of  the  Apostle,  even  so  it  is  now  ; 
the  carnal  mind  turns  food  into  poison,  and  blessings 
into  curses. 

O  that  we  may  have  grace  to  draw  out  of  the  pre- 
cious truths  of  God,  all  the  benefit  and  blessedness, 
which  they  are  designed  to  convey. 

The  character  and  state  of  redeemed  sinners  are 
most  admirably  delineated  in  the  Seventeenth  Article 
of  the  Church  of  England.  Their  election  in  Christ 
being  declared,  their  spiritual  state  is  thus  described, — 
"  They  are  called  according  to  God's  purpose  by  his 
Spirit  working  in  due  season  :  they,  through  grace, 
obey  the  calling ;  they  be  justified  freely ;  they  be 
made  the  sons  of  God  by  adoption  ;  they  be  made 
like  the  image  of  his  only  begotten  Son  Jesus  Christ ; 
they  walk  religiously  in  good  works ;  and  at  length, 
by  God's  mercy,  they  attain  to  everlasting  felicity." 

This  is  a  beautiful  epitome  of  the  Christian's  walk 
to  glory,  which  the  Apostle  has  so  fully  revealed  in 
his  various  Epistles,  by  the  unerring  pen  of  inspiration. 

Whatever  poisonous  consequences  may  be  drawn 
by  the  corrupt  heart,  from  the  sweetest  truths  of  God's 
Word,  of  this  we  are  certain,  that  all  is  good  which 
comes  from  God,  and  all  is  done  right,  which  is  done 
from  a  principle  of  faith  in  Christ,  and  in  obedience  to 
his  will.  While  we  cultivate  this  holy  frame,  our  du- 
ties will  be  pleasant,  our  delights  will  be  pure,  and  our 
hopes  will  be  sanctified. 

Let  us  then  think  often  on  the  nature,  the  extent, 
and  the  influence  of  the  love  of  Christ ; — what  de- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  361 

signs  it  formed  ; — with  what  energy  it  acted  ; — with 
what  perseverance  it  pursued  its  object ; — what  obsta- 
cles it  surmounted  ; — and  what  sweetness  it  imparted 
under  the  severest  trials.  x\nd  then,  let  us  remember, 
it  is  still  the  same  Almighty,  efficacious,  love,  free,  so- 
vereign, and  everlasting,  the  present  and  eternal  por- 
tion of  every  believer  in  Jesus.  It  is  thy  portion,  even 
thine,  O  sinner,  if  thou  hast  laid  hold  on  Jesus ;  if 
thou  hast  fled  to  him  as  thy  only  refuge  from  the  storm ; 
if  thou  hast  received  him  into  thy  heart  by  faith." 

There  is  nothing  more  clearly  revealed,  or  more  fre- 
quently insisted  upon  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  than  a 
holy  walk  and  conversation,  as  the  fruit  and  evidence 
of  a  justifying  faith.  Without  this  blessed  work  of  the 
Spirit,  religion  is  but  a  lifeless  form,  unacceptable  to 
God,  and  unprofitable  to  man. 

When  the  sinner  changes  his  state  before  God, 
through  faith  in  the  atonement  of  Christ,  he  changes 
also  his  character  before  men,  through  the  renewal  of 
the  inner  man.  He  becomes  a  new  creature  and  walks 
in  the  newness  of  life.  His  views,  intentions,  and  de- 
signs are  new.  His  affections  are  placed  upon  new 
objects.  His  will  receives  a  new  bias  ;  and  in  the  ner- 
vous language  of  St.  Paul — "Old  things  pass  away, 
and  all  things  become  new." 

The  true  believer  is  a  decided  character.  He  does 
not  halt  between  two  opinions.  His  choice  is  delibe- 
rately and  firmly  made.  The  Divine  Spirit  has  con- 
vinced him  of  his  danger,  and  taught  him  where  to 
find  pardon,  peace,  and  joy.  He  wholly  relies  on  the 
power  and  grace  of  Jesus,  receives  strength  equal  to 
31 


362  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

his  day,  and  though  encompassed  with  infirmities,  and 
groaning  under  the  burden  of  the  flesh,  he  runs  the 
race  which  is  set  before  him,  and,  through  grace,  ob- 
tains the  prize. 

How  difl'erent  from  all  this  is  the  formal  professor 
of  Christianity.  His  heart  is  cold  and  comfortless, 
while  that  of  the  true  believer  is  lively  and  joyful. 
The  one,  has  the  Spirit  of  a  slave,  the  other,  that  of  a 
child.  The  one,  serves  God  through  fear,  the  other, 
from  a  principle  of  love. 

Though  we  see  as  through  a  glass  darkly,  yet  quite 
enough  is  revealed  to  us  in  the  Bible,  to  condemn  us 
if  we  miss  the  road  to  heaven.  What  we  want  is,  an 
humble  mind  to  receive  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel 
as  practical  truths,  which  were  revealed,  not  for  the 
purpose  of  making  us  disputants,  but  disciples  of  Je- 
sus Christ ;  not,  that  we  may  indulge  our  speculative 
opinions,  but  that  we  may  be  made  wise  unto  salvation. 

However  extensive  may  be  our  knowledge,  or  how- 
ever animated  our  feelings,  it  will  avail  us  nothing, 
while  we  remain  destitute  of  those  scriptural  marks 
which  designate  the  children  of  God,  and  which  can 
alone  prove  us  to  be  among  the  chosen  in  Christ  Je- 
sus. This  truth  shines  as  with  a  sun-beam  in  the  page 
of  Revelation,  that  the  people  of  God  are  a  holy  peo- 
ple, each  possessing  that  inward  purity  which  mani- 
fests itself  by  outward  acts  of  piety. 

It  is  painful  to  think  with  what  unhallowed  freedom 
some  persons  speak  and  write  about  the  Divine  De- 
crees. They  assert  their  opinions  with  an  authority 
most  bold  and  daring  ;  and  are  ready  to  anathemize 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  363 

all,  whose  views  do  not  accord  with  their  own.    This 
state  of  mind  is  the  offspring  of  pride. 

The  further  advanced  the  real  Christian  is  in  the 
grace  of  the  Gospel,  the  more  he  possesses  the  spi- 
rit of  a  little  child.  He  becomes  more  humble,  more 
teachable,  more  submissive,  and  more  dependent  upon 
the  light  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  knows 
his  own  nothingness,  and  the  Divine  Immensity.  This 
bending  of  the  mind  and  will  is  the  blessed  effect  of 
the  Spirit's  teaching ;  for,  how  is  it  possible  that  a 
finite  creature  should  grap  Infinity  ;  or,  that  a  mind,  so 
contracted  as  ours,  should  comprehend  the  Eternal 
Jehovah,  in  all  his  purposes  and  decrees  ?  What  crea- 
ted being  can  unfold  those  mysteries  of  grace  which 
were  treasured  up  in  the  Divine  Mind,  before  time  be- 
gan, and  which  can  only  be  known,  as  the  Spirit  has 
been  pleased  to  reveal  them  to  us  by  the  Prophets  and 
the  Apostles. 

Being  commissioned  to  preach  these  wonders  of  re- 
deeming love,  the  indefatigable  Apostle  declared  to  the 
Corinthian  church  the  source  from  whence  they  came: 
"  We  speak  the  wisdom  of  God  in  a  mystery,  even  the 
hidden  wisdom,  which  God  ordained  before  the  world 
unto  our  glory;  which  none  of  the  princes  of  this 
world  knew ;  for  had  they  known  it,  they  would  not 
have  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory.  But,  as  it  is  written, 
Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  enter- 
ed into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath 
prepared  for  them  that  love  him.  But  God  hath  reveal- 
ed them  unto  us  by  his  Spirit  ;  for  the  Spirit  searcheth 
all  ihings,  yea,  the  deep  things  of  God.  For  what  maa 


364  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

knoweth  tlie  things  of  a  man,  save  the  spirit  of  man 
which  is  in  him?  Even  so,  the  things  of  God  know- 
eth no  man,  but  the  Spirit  of  God.  Now  we  have  re- 
ceived, not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the  Spirit  which 
is  of  God,  that  we  might  know  the  things  that  are 
freely  given  to  us  of  God  ;  which  things  also  we 
speak,  not  in  the  word  which  man's  wisdom  teacheth, 
but  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth ;  comparing  spi- 
ritual things  with  spiritual." 

This  important  declaration  of  St.  Paul,  puts  the 
seal  of  inspiration  upon  his  communications  to  the 
churches,  and  makes  his  writings  to  be  the  Word  of 
God.  It  is  also  a  fulfilment  of  the  Saviour's  promise 
to  his  disciples  ;  "  I  have  yet  many  things  to  say  unto 
you,  but  ye  cannot  bear  them  now.  Howbeit,  when 
the  Spirit  of  Truth  is  come,  he  will  guide  you  into  all 
truth,  he  shall  glorify  me  :  for  he  shall  receive  of  mine, 
and  shall  show  it  unto  you."  Thus  the  Gospel  dispen- 
sation is  emphatically  the  dispensation  of  the  Spirit. 
May  our  hearts  overflow  with  gratitude  for  this  reve- 
lation of  redeeming  love.  O  thou  Spirit  of  Truth,  by 
whose  power  the  whole  body  of  the  church  is  govern' 
ed  and  sanctified,  shine  into  our  hearts,  and  give  us 
the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the 
face  of  Jesus  Christ.  Open  our  understandings  to  un- 
derstand the  Scriptures,  and  mould  our  souls  into  the 
holy  image  of  our  God  and  Saviour. 

Man  would  be  wise  above  what  is  written  :  taking 
reason  for  his  pilot,  he  loves  to  launch  into  a  sea  of 
theory  and  conjecture.  Pride  swells  his  canvass  ; 
and  while  in  quest  of  some  discovery,  which  he  fondly 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  365 

hopes  shall  immortalize  his  name,  his  vessel,  freighted 
with  vanity,  is  driven  by  every  wind  of  doctrine,  till 
at  length  it  founders  amidst  the  rocks  of  infidelity. 

Knowing  the  danger  of  such  unhallowed  specula- 
tions, St.  Paul,  with  apostolic  faithfulness,  thus  warns 
the  Colossians  ;  "  Beware  lest  any  man  spoil  you 
through  philosophy  and  vain  deceit,  after  the  tradition 
of  men,  after  the  rudiments  of  the  world,  and  not  after 
Christ."  He  also  cautions  Timothy ;  "  O  Timothy, 
keep  that  which  is  committed  to  thy  trust,  avoiding 
profane  and  vain  babblings,  and  oppositions  of  science 
falsely  so  called :  which  some  professing  have  erred 
concerning  the  faith." 

Were  our  minds  duly  humbled  under  a  conscious 
feeling  of  our  ignorance,  we  should  seek  for  wisdom 
from  abov^,  that  we  may  know  what  is  good  to  be 
known,  and  experience  the  sanctifying  influence  of  the 
Truth  upon  our  hearts.  However  we  may  wish  it, 
we  cannot  reach  beyond  the  limits  which  Infinite  Wis- 
dom has  prescribed.  Even  within  that  boundary  line, 
there  are  many  things  hard  to  be  understood.  Humil- 
ity and  obedience  will  guide  us,  through  the  Spirit, 
into  all  truth  :  for,  "  If  any  man  will  do  His  Will,  he 
shall  know  of  the  doctrine  whether  it  be  of  God." 

Mutability  is  inscribed  on  every  earthly  thing  :  but, 
*'  the  counsel  of  the  Lord  standeth  for  ever ;  the 
thoughts  of  his  heart  to  all  generations."  This  divine 
stability  and  unchangeableness  was  th«  rock  upon 
which  David  built  his  hopes  :  "  Although  my  house  be 
not  so  with  God  ;  yet  he  hath  made  with  me  an  everlas- 
ting covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure  ;  for  this  is 


366  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

all  my  salvation,  and  all  my  desire."     Happy  saint — 

"  Who  can  sink  with  such  a  prop, 
Which  bears  the  world  and  all  things  up  !" 

This  truth  comforted  the  afflicted  Jeremiah  :  "  The 
Lord  hath  appeared  of  old  unto  me,  saying :  Yea,  I 
have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love,  therefore 
with  loving-kindness  have  I  drawn  thee." 

'Isaiah  was  honoured  to  be  the  bearer  of  this  divine 
consolation  to  the  suffering  Church  :  "  The  mountains 
shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be  removed,  but  my  kind- 
ness shall  not  depart  from  thee,  neither  shall  the  cov- 
enant of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith  the  Lord  that 
hath  mercy  on  thee." 

A  time  of  trial  is  the  time  when  the  promises  of 
God  are  peculiarly  precious.  The  Lord,  whose  grace 
is  sufficient  for  us,  has  grace  in  store  for  suffering  sea- 
sons.— "  As  thy  days  so  shall  thy  strength  be."  This 
was  experienced  at  a  period  of  national  judgment, 
when  the  king  of  Babylon  was  commissioned  to  carry 
away  captive  the  idolatrous  house  of  Judah. 

During  this  season  of  distress,  the  prophet  Jeremiah 
was  favoured  with  a  divine  declaration  of  faithfulness 
and  mercy.  It  would  seem  to  the  eye  of  sense,  that 
the  promise,  made  to  the  house  of  David,  was  about 
to  be  cancelled  by  the  overwhelming  desolation. — But 
God  will  never  disappoint  the  hopes  of  his  saints,  who 
rest  upon  his  Truth.  They  may  partake  of  the  gene- 
ral calamity,  but  not  of  its  penal  character ;  for  while 
the  wicked  are  made  to  drink  of  the  cup  of  divine 
indignation,  the  righteous  shall  be  refreshed  with  abun- 
dance of  peace.    At  such  a  period,  the  Lord,  as  he  has 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  367 

graciously  promised,  will  be  a  little  sanctuary  to  his 
people  ;  a  refuge  from  the  storm,  when  the  blast  of  the 
terrible  ones  is  a  storm  against  the  wall. 

To  these  hidden  ones,  thus  saith  the  Lord ;  "  If  ye 
can  break  my  covenant  of  the  day,  and  my  covenant 
of  the  night,  and  that  there  should  not  be  day  and  night 
in  their  season  ;  then  may  also  my  covenant  be  broken 
with  David  my  servant.  If  my  covenant  be  not  with 
day  and  night,  and  if  I  have  not  appointed  the  ordi- 
nances of  heaven  :  then  will  I  cast  away  the  seed  of 
Jacob,  and  David  my  servant."  O !  how  firm  is  the 
promise  of  Jehovah.  He  might  well  say,  "  I  am  the 
Lord,  I  change  not ;  therefore,  ye  sons  of  Jacob  are 
not  consumed." 

But  as  his  promise  is  true  to  his  people,  so  are  his 
threatenings  to  his  enemies.  The  rebellious  Jews  had 
sent  to  Egypt  for  help  against  the  Chaldeans,  and  no 
doubt  they  rejoiced  in  the  success  of  their  worldly 
policy ;  for,  "  When  the  army  of  Pharaoh  was  come 
forth  out  of  Egypt,  and  when  the  Chaldeans  that  be- 
seiged  Jerusalem  heard  tidings  of  them,  they  departed 
from  Jerusalem." 

Inspired  with  hopes  of  deliverance,  they  began  to 
think — Now  we  shall  see  what  will  become  of  Jere- 
miah's predictions  ;  neither  we  or  our  land  shall  fall 
a  prey  to  Nebuchadnezzar.  Trusting  to  an  arm  of 
flesh,  they  despised  the  Word  of  the  Lord,  and  indul- 
ged the  infidel  hope,  that  his  threatenings  would  prove 
abortive. 

The  Almighty  God,  who  searches  the  deep  recesses 
of  the  heart,  sent  this  message  to  his  unbelieving  peo- 


368  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

pie,  "  Thus  shall  ye  say  to  the  king  of  Judah ;  Be- 
hold, Pharaoh's  army,  which  is  come  forth  to  help  you, 
shall  return  to  Egypt,  into  their  own  land :  and  the 
Chaldeans  shall  come  again,  and  fight  against  this 
city,  and  take  it,  and  burn  it  with  fire.  Thus  saith  the 
Lord ;  Deceive  not  yourselves,  saying,  the  Chaldeans 
shall  depart  from  us,  for  they  shall  not  depart." 

Now  mark  the  impossibility  of  defeating  the  purpo- 
ses of  Him,  who  can  destroy  a  wicked  people  by  the 
weakest  instrument :  "  For  though  ye  had  smitten  the 
whole  array  of  the  Chaldeans  that  fight  against  you, 
and  there  remained  but  wounded  men  among  them,  yet 
should  THEY  rise  up  every  man  in  his  tent,  and  burn 
this  city  with  fire." 

O  that  rebellious  sinnes  would  lay  this  to  heart ;  for 
neither  wisdom  nor  strength,  however  matured  or  com- 
bined, can  defeat  the  purposes  of  Jehovah.  The 
weaker  the  means  which  are  employed,  the  more  is 
the  power  of  God  manifested  thereby.  The  locusts, 
the  caterpillar,  and  the  palmer-worm  can  reduce  a  land 
of  plenty  into  barrenness,  as  expeditiously  as  the  de- 
vouring sword.  Sooner  than  the  Word  of  God  shall 
fail,  Jesus  has  assured  us,  that  the  stones  would  im- 
mediately cry  out.  Human  projects  are  uncertain  in 
their  results — not  so  the  Divine  counsel :  "  Heaven  and 
earth  shall  pass  away,  but  my  words,"  said  the  Omni- 
potent Saviour,  "  shall  not  pass  away." 

As  the  judgments  of  God  overtook  his  enemies,  so 
do  his  mercies  encircle  his  people.  When  the  famine 
was  desolating  the  land  of  Israel,  the  prophet  Elijah, 
was  sustained  by  that  Almighty  hand,  which   in  all 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  369 

ages  protects  and  feeds  the  saints  : — "  Hide  thyself  by 
the  brook  Cherith, — 1  have  commanded  the  ravens  to 
feed  thee  there."  O  thou  afflicted  believer,  whatever 
be  thy  straits  and  trials,  God  has  means  to  help  and 
deliver  thee,  as  he  did  his  suffering  servant.  When 
the  brook  was  dried  up,  then  came  the  word, 
"  Arise,  get  thee  to  Zarephath,  behold,  I  have  com- 
manded a  widow  woman  to  sustain  thee."  It  was  not  a 
king  or  a  noble  who  was  to  preserve  the  life  of  this 
holy  Prophet, — no  ; — it  was  to  be  a  poor  widow,  who, 
with  two  sticks,  was  about  to  bake  her  last  cake  for 
herself  and  her  son,  that  they  might  eat  it,  and  die ! 
Let  these  instances  of  God's  providential  care,  and 
miraculous  preservations,  shame  us  out  of  our  unbe- 
lief and  mistrust  of  his  goodness  ; — "  for  the  barrel  of 
meal  wasted  not,  neither  did  the  cruise  of  oil  fail,  ac- 
cording to  the  Word  of  the  Lord,  which  he  spake  by 
Elijah." 

The  Bible  is  full  of  wonders.  This  delightful 
Book  would  arrest  the  attention,  and  attract  the  ad- 
miration of  mankind,  were  it  not  for  its  holy  charac- 
ter. Its  light  is  too  pure — its  standard  is  too  exalted 
—its  statements  are  too  humbling,  for  the  pride  and 
wickedness  of  the  natural  heart.  In  the  Bible,  truth 
shines  with  unclouded  lustre.  Wherever  it  is  receiv- 
ed in  faith  and  love,  there,  darkness  flies  before  it.  At 
the  glorious  Reformation,  its  Holy  Light,  concealed  in 
cloistered  cells,  shot  forth  filling  those  nations  with 
unnumbered  blessings  which  embraced  its  heavenly 
doctrines.  O  may  we  never  by  our  sins  provoke  our 
God  to  withdraw  His  Truth  from  us. 


370  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Protesting  against  Papal  errors  and  Infidel  blasphe- 
mies, let  us  rally  around  the  Word  of  God — that 
standard  of  Eternal  Truth.  Clinging  to  the  cross, 
and  confessing  Christ,  let  us  ever,  with  fearless  integ- 
rity, maintain  our  Gospel  principles,  and  earnestly 
contend  for  that  faith,  once  delivered  to  the  saints, 
which  is  founded  upon  the  Bible, — the  whole  Bible 
— and  nothing  but  the  Bible. 

Whatever  infidelity  may  assert,  this  truth  is  written 
as  with  a  sun-beam  on  the  page  of  Scripture,  and  in 
the  Book  of  Providence,  that  all  the  purposes  of  Je- 
hovah, whether  of  mercy  or  of  judgment,  shall  have 
their  full  accomplishment.  The  puny  arm  of  man 
can  neither  turn  aside  the  burning  wrath,  nor  suspend 
the  shower  of  blessing. 

We  naturally  expect  great  eflf'ects  to  arise  from  what 
we  conceive  to  be  powerful  causes.  So  did  Naaman, 
when  he  esteemed  the  rivers  of  Damascus  better  than 
all  the  waters  of  Israel.  "  But,  my  thoughts  are  not 
your  thoughts,  neither  are  your  ways  my  ways,  saith 
the  Lord. — My  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness. 
— Cease  ye  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils, 
for  wherein  is  he  to  be  accounted  of? 

This  truth,  so  humiliating  to  our  vanity,  St.  Paul 
boldly  declared  to  the  Corinthians  : — "  God  hath  chosen 
the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise  ; 
and  God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to 
confound  the  things  that  are  mighty  ;  and  base  things 
of  the  world,  and  things  which  are  despised  hath  God 
chosen,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  371 

nought  things  that  are  ;  that  no  flesh  should  glory  in 
his  presence." 

For  this  reason  he  was  not  ashamed  to  say, — "  When 
I  came  to  you,  I  came  not  with  excellency  of  speech 
or  of  wisdom,  declaring  unto  you  the  testimony  of  God. 
For  I  determined  not  to  know  any  thing  among  you 
save  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.  And  I  was 
with  you  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in  much  trem- 
bling. And  my  speech  and  my  preaching  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  of  power,  that  your  faith  should  not 
stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God." 

Though  honoured  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  his  grace, 
this  humble  servant  of  Christ  sought  not  glory  from 
men.  Ever  desirous  to  exalt  the  Saviour,  he  told  the 
Corinthians,  "  We  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  ves- 
sels, that  the  excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  God, 
and  not  of  us." 

Humility  is  inseparable  from  the  Christian  character, 
Pride  was  not  made  for  man  ;  yet  man  is  a  proud  sin- 
ner,— a  fugitive  from  God.  His  darkened  understand- 
ing, his  perverted  will,  his  corrupt  stffections,  his  pol- 
luted memory,  his  seared  conscience,  his  defiled  ima- 
gination, all  prove  him  to  be  a  creature  fallen  from  ori- 
ginal righteousness,  obedient  to  some  other  power, 
and  pursuing  an  end,  the  very  opposite  to  that  for 
which  he  was  created.  Satan  being  intrenched  in  his 
self-love,  obtains  an  easy  conquest  over  him.  The 
artful  foe  whispers  to  his  heart  the  flattering  tale,  and 
he  receives  it  with  complacency.  Listening  to  this 
hellish  fiend,  he  boldly  eats  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  and 


372  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

braves  the  vengeance  of  Omnipotence.  Truth  is 
too  bright  for  his  diseased  intellect ; — too  stern  and 
faithful  for  his  fastidious  ear. — He  slights  the  moni- 
tory warnings  of  his  truest  friend,  and  fondly  cleaves 
to  Satan  and  his  lies.  O  what  a  blessing  is  a  humble 
mind,  a  teachable  Spirit,  a  dependent  frame  of  heart. 
This  happy  state  of  soul  contains  within  itself  the 
abundance  of  peace.  Jesus  dwells  in  such  a  lowly 
bosom,  and  beautifies  the  meek  with  his  salvation. 
Happy  shall  we  be,  if  our  wills  are  made  comformable 
to  the  Will  of  God.  Then  however  dark  may  be  his 
dispensations  towards  us,  at  evening-time  it  shall  be 
light.  Then,  when  heart  and  flesh  shall  fail,  Jesus  will 
be  the  strength  of  our  heart  and  our  portion  for  ever. 

"  Would  that  my  heart  were  fully  bent 
To  serve  thee,  Lord,  in  faith  and  love ; 
That  my  desires  were  all  intent 

On  heavenly  joys,  and  things  above : 
Vouchsafe  with  energy  divine 
To  visit  me  and  make  me  thine. 
"  Oh  Saviour,  with  thy  presence  cheer 
This  heart,  and  chase  the  gloom  away ; 
Rise,  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  here 

Light  up  an  everlasting  day : 
Thy  grace  dispels  the  shades  of  night : 
Where'er  thou  dwellest,  there  is  light. 
"  I  seek  thee  in  affliction's  hour, 

When  every  earthly  comfort  fails ; 
I  seek  thee  when  the  tempter's  pow'r, 

Against  my  feeble  heart  prevails ; 
My  burden'd  bosom  breathes  its  sigh 
To  Thee,  and  knows  that  thou  art  nigh. 
"  Dear  Lord,  I  shall  not  ask  in  vain. 

For  thou  hast  taught  me  how  to  pray  ; 
Here  I  will  wait  till  I  obtain 

Thy  grace  to  takyjji^sins  away : 
My  helpless  soul  with  pity  see, 
And  let  it  now  be  fill'd  with  thee." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

On  the  eternal  love  of  God,  the  source  of  the 
believer's  happiness.  The  final  glorifica- 
tion OF  the  saints. 

The  unchangeable  nature  of  the  promises  of  God  in 
Christ,  which  are  yea,  and  amen,  to  the  glory  of  his 
grace,  gladdened  the  afflicted  Apostle  under  all  his 
troubles.  By  the  inspiration  of  the  Spirit,  he  was 
enabled  to  lead  his  Christian  converts  to  the  one  only 
source  of  all  their  holiness  and  happiness, — the  eter- 
nal purpose  and  love  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ,  through 
whom  their  souls  were  redeemed  and  sanctified. 

The  sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel  struck  his  harp  to 
this  inspiring  theme : — "  Salvation  belongeth  unto  the 
Lord  ;  thy  blessing  is  upon  thy  people."  O  may  we 
catch  the  sacred  fire,  and  feel  our  every  power  glow- 
ing with  holy  love.  None  but  ransomed  sinners  can 
fully  estimate  the  blessings  of  redemption. 

Salvation  springs  altogether  from  the  grace  and  so- 
vereign will  of  God,  who  hath  mercy  on  whom  he  will 
have  mercy.  It  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him 
that  runneth,  but  of  God  that  showeth  mercy ;  who 
dispenseth  his  blessings,  whether  temporal  or  spiritual, 
as  seemeth  good  in  his  sight. 

All  blessings  in  time  and  eternity  must  be  traced  to 
32 


374  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

this  infinite  love  of  God  the  Father,  in,  and  through, 
his  beloved  and  co-equal  Son.  The  heart  of  Paul 
glowed  with  holy  fervour  whenever  he  dwelt  upon  this 
theme  of  mercy.  Angels  delight  to  look  into  this 
mystery  of  love.  Devils  tremble  at  the  amazing  sight 
of  man's  redemption.  None  but  unhurabled  sinners 
turn  from  it  with  disgust ! 

When  writing  to  the  churches,  the  divinely-inspired 
Apostle  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  ;  neither 
did  he  shun  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God. 
Ministers  who  are  swayed  by  interested  motives, 
easily  forsake  the  path  of  rectitude.  Instead  of 
preaching  those  truths  which  would  be  profitable  to 
others,  they  preach  such  doctrines  as  are  profitable  to 
themselves, 

St.  Paul  was  a  man  of  another  spirit.  He  had 
tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious  ;  to  him  Christ  was 
precious  ;  and  his  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God 
was,  that  His  way  might  be  known  upon  earth,  and 
His  saving  health  among  all  nations.  "  To  the  sug- 
gestions of  worldly  prudence,  he  paid  no  attention ; 
his  counsellor  was  conscience  ;  and  the  source  of  his 
actions  was  the  love  of  Christ.  Hence  he  sought  the 
salvation  of  others,  with  an  ardour  little  inferior  to 
that,  with  which  he  laboured,  through  grace,  to  secure 
his  own.  Contenting  himself  with  the  consciousness 
of  upright  intention,  and  the  approbation  of  his  Master 
in  heaven,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  bring  forward,  in  the 
proper  season,  whatever  would  contribute  to  the  in- 
struction   and    establishment  of  those    to  whom  he 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  375 

ministered,  even  though,  in  some  instances,  it  should 
awaken  their  temporary  displeasure." 

This  holy  man,  well  knew,  that  as  a  faithful  minis- 
ter of  Christ,  he  must  rise  superior  to  every  consider- 
ation, but  that  of  his  duty.  Actuated  by  this  princi- 
ple, he  sought  not  glory  from  men,  being  willing  to  be 
esteemed  as  the  off-scouring  of  all  things  for  Jesus' 
sake.  He,  who  could  say,  "  Woe  is  me,  if  I  preach 
not  the  Gospel,"  would  never  shrink  from  a  faithful 
exhibition  of  Gospel  Truth.  To  the  Galatian  church 
he  feared  not  to  say,  "  Do  I  now  persuade  men  or 
God  ?  or,  do  I  seek  to  please  men  ?  for,  if  I  yet  pleased 
men,  I  should  not  be  the  servant  of  Christ." 

Tracing  his  own  conversion  to  the  sovereign  and 
eternal  love  of  God,  who  was  pleased  to  separate  him 
from  his  mother's  womb,  and  to  call  him  by  his  grace, 
he  delighted  to  dwell  on  the  exhaustless  theme  of 
mercy.  Being  guided  by  the  Spirit  into  all  Truth, 
how  sweetly  did  he  comfort  the  Roman  Christians,  by 
the  comfort  wherewith  he  himself  was  comforted  of 
God  :  "  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his 
purpose  :  For  whom  he  did  foreknow,  he  also  did  pre- 
destinate to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son,  that 
he  might  be  the  firstborn  among  many  brethren. 
Moreover,  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he  also 
called :  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified  : 
and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified."  Here 
we  have  presented  to  our  view  the  golden  chain  of 
grace  and  mercy,  reaching  from  everlasting  to  ever- 


376  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

lasting,  which  draws  up  into  glory  all  who  are  called 
according  to  his  purpose. 

To  the  Ephesian  church,  St.  Paul  unfolded  the  hid- 
den wisdom  of  redeeming  love  :  "  Blessed  be  the  God 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  bless- 
ed us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in 
Christ :  according  as  he  hath  chosen  us  in  him  before 
the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy, 
and  without  blame  before  him  in  love  :  having  predes- 
tinated us  unto  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus  Christ 
tmto  himself,  according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  his  will, 
to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath 
made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved."  Here  again  grace 
reigns,  through  righteousness,  unto  eternal  life,  by  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord. 

To  the  Thessalonians,  the  Apostle  imparted  the 
same  glorious  revelation:  "We  are  bound  to  give 
thanks  always  to  God  for  you,  brethren  beloved  of  the 
Lord,  because  God  hath  from  the  beginning  chosen 
you  unto  salvation  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit 
and  belief  of  the  truth :  whereunto  he  called  you  by 
our  Gospel,  to  the  obtaining  of  the  glory  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ."  In  this  comprehensive  and  most  con- 
solatory passage,  we  behold  the  source,  the  means, 
and  the  end  of  that  salvation  which  will  fill  heaven 
with  unceasing  praise. 

St.  Peter,  in  unison  with  his  brother  Apostle,  being 
taught  by  the  same  Spirit  of  Truth  and  Love,  styles 
believers  :  "  Elect  according  to  the  foreknowledge  of 
God  the  Father,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit^ 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  377 

unto  obedience  and  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ." 

Archbishop  Leighton  has  made  the  following  beau- 
tiful remarks  on  these  words  of  Peter :  "  This  fore- 
knowledge is  his  eternal  and  unchangeable  love. 
'  Hath  not  the  potter  power  over  the  same  lump,  to 
make  one  vessel  unto  honour,  and  another  unto  dis- 
honour?' This,  if  it  be  harsh,  yet  is  apostolic  doc- 
trine. This  deep,  we  must  admire,  and  always  in  con- 
sidering, close  with  this,  *  O  the  depth  of  the  riches, 
both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God.' 

"  Effectual  calling  is  inseparably  tied  to  this  eternal 
foreknowledge  or  election  on  the  one  side,  and  salva- 
tion on  the  other.  These  two  links  of  the  chain  are 
up  in  heaven,  in  God's  own  hand  ;  but  this  middle  one 
is  let  down  to  earth,  into  the  hearts  of  his  children ; 
and  they,  laying  hold  on  it,  have  sure  hold  on  the  other 
two,  for  no  power  can  sever  them ;  if  therefore  they 
can  read  the  characters  of  God's  image  in  their  own 
souls,  those  are  the  counter-part  of  the  golden  charac- 
ters of  his  love,  in  which  their  names  are  written  in 
the  book  of  life.  Their  believing,  writes  their  names 
under  the  promises  of  the  revealed  book  of  life,  the 
Scriptures :  and  so  ascertains  them,  that  the  same 
names  are  in  the  secret  book  of  life,  that  God  hath  by 
himself  from  eternity.  So  finding  the  stream  of  grace 
in  their  hearts,  though  they  see  not  the  fountain  whence 
it  flows,  nor  the  ocean  into  which  it  returns,  yet  they 
know  that  it  hath  its  source,  and  shall  return  to  that 
ocean  which  ariseth  from  eternal  election,  and  shall 
32* 


378  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

empty  itself  into  that  eternity  of  happiness  and  salva- 
tion. 

"  If  election,  effectual  calling,  and  salvation,  be  in- 
separably linked  together,  then,  by  any  one  of  them,  a 
man  may  lay  hold  upon  all  the  rest,  and  may  know- 
that  his  hold  is  sure  ;  and  this  is  that  way,  wherein 
we  may  attain  and  ought  to  seek  that  comfortable  as- 
surance of  the  love  of  God.  Therefore,  make  your 
calling  sure,  and  by  that,  your  election ;  for  that  being 
done,  this  follows  of  itself.  We  are  not  to  pry  imme- 
diately into  the  decree,  but  to  read  it  in  the  perform- 
ance. 

"  Though  the  mariner  sees  not  the  pole-star^  yet  the 
needle  of  the  compass  that  points  to  it,  tells  him  which 
way  he  sails.  Thus,  the  heart  that  is  touched  with 
the  loadstone  of  divine  love,  trembling  with  godly  fear, 
and  yet  still  looking  towards  God  by  fixed  believing, 
points  at  the  love  of  election,  and  tells  the  soul  that  its 
course  is  heavenward,  towards  the  haven  of  eternal 
rest. 

.  "  He  that  loves  may  be  sure  he  was  loved  first ;  and 
he  that  chooses  God  for  his  delight  and  portion,  may 
conclude  confidently,  that  God  hath  chosen  him  to  be 
one  of  those  that  shall  enjoy  him  and  be  happy  in  him 
for  ever :  for  our  love  and  electing  of  him,  is  but  the 
return  and  the  repercussion  of  the  beams  of  his  love 
shining  upon  us." 

The  writer  of  these  pages  has  no  wish  to  uphold 
any  human  system  of  theology.  He  desires  simply  to 
declare,  in  the  words  of  the  inspired  Apostle,  the 
whole  counsel  of  God,  and  to  keep  back  nothing  which 


CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE.  379 

he  deemed  profitable  to  the  Church  of  Christ.  Angry 
controversies  and  contentions  wound  the  mind,  embit- 
ter the  spirit,  and  destroy  the  peace  and  unity  of  the 
Church. 

To  every  prayerful  student  of  the  Bible,  it  must  be 
most  apparent,  that  all  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel, 
when  received  in  the  simplicity  of  faith,  must,  from 
their  nature,  have  a  practical  influence  on  the  heart 
and  life.  For  they  are  revealed  for  this  very  purpose, 
to  make  us  humble,  and  holy,  and  happy. 

How  forcibly  does  St.  Paul  impress  this  truth  upon 
his  beloved  Timothy :  "  The  foundation  of  God  stand- 
eth  sure,  having  this  seal :  The  Lord  knoweth  them 
that  are  his.  And,  let  every  one  that  nameth  the  name 
of  Christ,  depart  from  iniquity." 

The  first  seal  is  secret  to  us, — "  The  Lord  knoweth 
them  that  are  his."  The  second  seal  is  visible  to  all, 
— "  Let  every  one  that  nameth  the  name  of  Christ, 
depart  from  iniquity." 

If  we  bear  the  second  seal,  we  may  be  scripturally 
assured  that  the  first  is  impressed  upon  us. 

All  who  bear  the  broad  seal  of  sanctification,  have 
also  the  private  seal  of  adoption ;  for  if  we  love  God, 
it  is  because  he  has  first  loved  us. 

Let  us  then  seek  for  those  precious  fruits  of  the 
Spirit,  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness, 
goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance,  which  are  the 
indubitable  marks  of  the  children  of  God. 

True  Christians  may  differ  from  each  other  in  lan- 
guage, national  customs,  and  other  external  circum- 
stances, yet,  they  all  resemble  each  other  in  their  like- 


380  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

ness  to  God.  Their  views  and  feelings,  their  conflicts 
and  supports,  are  substantially  the  same. — Being  born 
from  above,  and  taught  by  the  same  Spirit,  they  each 
bear  the  stamp  of  their  divine  origin,  though  separated 
by  oceans  and  trackless  deserts. 

Writing  to  the  Ephesians,  the  holy  Apostle  men- 
tions this  blessed  operation  of  grace  :  "  After  that  ye 
believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  that  Holy  Spirit  of  pro- 
mise, which  is  the  earnest  of  our  inheritance,  until  the 
redemption  of  the  purchased  possession,  unto  the  praise 
of  his  glory." 

Also  to  the  Corinthians :  "  He  which  establisheth 
us  with  you  in  Christ,  and  hath  anointed  us,  is  God  ; 
who  hath  also  sealed  us,  and  given  the  earnest  of  the 
Spirit  in  our  hearts." 

All  who  truly  believe  in  Jesus,  have  the  witness  in 
themselves ;  for  the  indwelling  of  the  Spirit,  that  pre- 
cious fruit  of  the  atonement,  is  known  by  the  change 
which  is  produced  in  the  soul.  The  believer,  by  this 
holy  transformation  of  character,  evidences  his  "  elec- 
tion of  God,"  and  his  interest  in  the  merits  and  inter- 
cession of  the  Redeemer. 

All  who  possess  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  have  the  mind 
of  Christ,  and  follow  the  example  of  Christ.  The 
Holy  Spirit  guides  the  believer  into  all  truth,  both  in 
doctrine  and  practice.  His  genuine  work  is,  the  pro- 
duction of  light  in  the  mind,  and  of  love  in  the  heart. 
Thus,  all  who  are  actually  pardoned  through  the  blood 
of  Christ,  are  graciously  sealed  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ 
to  the  day  of  redemption. 

The  Church  of  England,  in  her  Homily  on  Whit- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  381 

Sunday,  is  in  perfect  accordance  with  this  truth  of 
Scripture  :  "  It  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  no  other  thing, 
that  doth  quicken  the  minds  of  men,  stirring  up  good 
and  godly  motions  in  their  hearts,  which  are  agreeable 
to  the  will  and  commandment  of  God,  such  as  other- 
wise, of  their  own  crooked  and  perverse  nature,  they 
could  never  have.  That  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit,  is 
spirit.  As  who  should  say,  man  of  his  own  nature  is 
fleshly  and  carnal,  corrupt  and  nought,  sinful  and  dis- 
obedient to  God,  without  any  spark  of  goodness  in 
him,  without  any  virtuous  or  godly  motions,  only  given 
to  evil  thoughts  and  wicked  deeds.  As  for  the  works 
of  the  Spirit,  the  fruits  of  faith,  charitable  and  godly 
motions,  if  he  have  any  at  all  in  him,  they  proceed  only 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  is  the  only  worker  of  our  sanc- 
tification^  and  maketh  us  new  men  in  Christ." 

How  blessed  is  that  man  in  whom  the  Spirit  of  God 
condescends  to  dwell.  He  has  new  joys,  new  cares, 
new  hopes,  new  desires.  He  prays  hy  the  Spirit,  and 
for  the  Spirit.  Receiving  the  spirit  of  adoption,  he 
approaches  the  throne  of  grace  with  confidence, — views 
God  as  his  Father, — possesses  the  temper  and  pros- 
pects of  a  child,  and  delights  in  every  thing  which 
promotes  the  glory  of  his  divine  Redeemer. 

"  Surely,  may  such  an  one  say,  the  Lord  hath  loved 
me  with  an  everlasting  love  ;  therefore  with  loving- 
kindness  hath  he  drawn  me,  even  when  I  was  far  from 
him  :  and  now  having  brought  me  nigh,  through  the 
blood  of  the  everlasting  Covenant,  he  will  preserve  me 
to  the  end,  as  much  by  his  unvarying  truth,  as  he  led 
me  at  first  by  his  spontaneous  mercy.    What  shall  I 


382  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

render  then  unto  the  Lord  for  all  the  benefits  which  he 
hath  bestowed  upon  me  !  I  can  only  render  to  him  by 
receiving  from  him.  The  more  1  know  of  his  goodness, 
and  taste  of  his  bounty,  the  more  I  am  indebted  to  his 
grace.  He  himself  must,  and,  I  doubt  not,  will  enable 
me  to  receive  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  to  call  upon 
his  holy  name,  as  my  Lord  and  my  God  !  And — when 
the  heavens  are  rolled  together  as  a  scroll,  and  the 
elements  melt  with  fervent  heat ;  when  the  earth, 
with  all  the  inhabitants  of  it,  is  dissolved  ;  then  may 
I,  and  each  of  my  brethren,  say ;  '/  have  lost  nothing ; 
still  I  can  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  joy  in  the  God  of 
my  salvation.'  " 

It  was  to  such  holy  characters  as  these,  that  St.  Paul 
addresses  this  affectionate  exhortation  : — "  Put  on,  as 
the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels  of  mer- 
cies, kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long- 
suffering,  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one 
another,  if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any,  even 
as  Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye.  And  above  all 
these  things,  put  on  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  per- 
fectness,  and  let  the  peace  of  God  rule  in  your  hearts." 

Thus  we  see  how  true  faith  purifies  the  heart,  works 
by  love,  overcomes  the  world,  and  triumphs  over  death 
and  hell.  True  faith  is  inseparable  from  holiness,  for 
the  same  Divine  Power  which  enables  the  sinner  to 
put  on  Christ  as  his  righteousness,  transforms  him  into 
a  holy  temple  for  Christ  to  dwell  in,  as  his  purifier. 
This  is  the  glory  and  blessedness  of  the  Gospel.  It 
brings  the  sinner  into  union  with  his  Saviour ;  and 
raises  him  from  earth  to  heaven. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  383 

The  influences  of  faith  are  extended  through  the 
whole  soul,  and  its  life  is  spread  by  a  vigorous  circu- 
lation. Wherever  faith  is  set  up  in  the  mind,  as  a  con- 
vincing light  to  discover  the  sweetness  and  excellency 
of  Christ,  it  will  discover  itself  in  the  will,  by  an 
eager  appetite  to  feed  on  his  pleasant  fruits  ;  and  in 
the  affections,  by  that  heavenly  flame  which  is  ever 
ascending  towards  him  as  the  chiefest  good. 

This  was  exactly  the  effect  produced  in  the  soul  of 
the  great  Apostle,  when  divine  light  broke  in  upon  his 
mind.  He  saw  the  glory  of  Jesus  ;  his  will  was  cap- 
tivated, and  his  affections  were  wholly  fixed  upon  him. 
No  sufferings  could  deter  him  from  his  service,  no 
enemy  could  drive  him  from  his  post  of  honour.  As  he 
gloried  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  so  he  gloried  in  tribula- 
tions also,  when  endured  for  his  sake.  Ardently  de- 
siring the  salvation  of  sinners,  he  laboured  with  un- 
ceasing perseverance  to  make  them  acquainted  with 
their  only  Saviour  ;  and,  perhaps,  no  man  was  ever  so 
blessed  in  his  labours  of  love. 

O  !  what  a  glorious  day  will  that  be,  when  this  holy 
man  of  God  shall  appear  before  the  throne  of  Jesus, 
clothed  with  immortality,  and  wearing  the  crown  of 
righteousness.  Then  will  his  joy  indeed  be  full.  Sur- 
rounded by  his  spiritual  children,  whom  he  will  know 
as  the  fruit  of  his  labours,  he  shall  realize  those  sweet 
anticipations  of  bliss  expressed  to  the  Thessalonian 
believers :  "  What  is  our  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of 
rejoicing  ?  Are  not  even  ye,  in  the  presence  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coming,  for  ye  are  our  glory 
and  joy." 


384  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

As  eternal  life  is  the  gift  of  Christ,  so,  like  the  good 
shepherd,  he  guides^  his  flock  in  safety  to  the  fold 
above.  Would  we  reach  that  heavenly  world,  we  must 
he  ever  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  Finisher 
of  our  faith.  We  must  rely  upon  him  for  a  joyful  ad- 
mission into  the  realms  of  peace.  He  alone  can 
strengthen  us  for  the  trials  of  the  way  ; — he  alone  can 
support  us  under  the  last  conflict  with  sin  and  death. 
If  we  believe  in  Jesus  with  all  our  heart,  the  stream, 
through  which  we  shall  have  to  pass,  may  be  tempes- 
tuous, but  its  waves  shall  not  be  suffered  to  overwhelm 
us.  Jesus  will  carry  us  in  his  bosom,  and,  through 
his  faithfulness  and  love,  will  safely  land  us  on  the 
heavenly  shore. 

And  oh  !  what  bliss  will  await  us  there  ! — No  eye 
hath  seen,  nor  ear  hath  heard,  no  heart  hath  conceived, 
the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us,  as  the  ran- 
somed of  the  Lord.  We  shall  be  heirs  of  God  ! — We 
shall  possess  him  as  our  portion,  who  is  the  possesor 
of  heaven  and  earth. — We  shall  be  joint  heirs  with 
Christ,  who  is  the  Head  over  all  things  to  the  Church. 
Though  now  compassed  about  with  infirmities,  we 
shall  then  be  like  the  sun  in  his  strength  ;  though  now 
allied  to  the  dust,  we  shall  then  be  made  kings  and 
priests  unto  God.  We  shall  sit  with  Christ  upon  his 
throne,  and  for  ever  drink  the  living  waters  of  purity 
and  joy. 

Our  toils  will  then  be  exchanged  for  rest.  In  that 
region  of  unsullied  happiness,  Satan  cannot  reach  us  ; 
wicked  men  cannot  harm  us  ;  grief  cannot  distress  us  ; 
sin  cannot  defile  us.     The  day  will   ever   shed  its 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  385 

brightness  over  us,  for  the  Lamb  will  be  our  everlast- 
ing light,  and  our  God  our  glory. — We  shall  then  be 
made  like  unto  Jesus,  and  shall  follow  him,  as  the  tro- 
phies of  his  victory,  whithersoever  he  goeth. 

O  !  transporting  thought,  to  be  made  like  unto  Jesus  ! 
This  will  form  the  blessed  ingredient  in  the  happiness 
of  heaven.  The  glorious  image  of  Christ  will  never 
be  defaced,  but  the  beautiful  lines  of  the  new  creature 
will  forever  shine  in  the  perfection  of  beauty,  to  the 
praise  of  redeeming  love.  Here,  we  are  struggling 
with  imperfection,  infirmity,  and  sin ;  but  there,  the 
happy  spirit,  disengaged  from  every  weight,  will  as- 
cend, with  lightsome  wing,  to  the  bosom  of  its  God 
and  Saviour. 

When  we  come  into  that  happy  world  above,  to  be 
clothed  in  the  white  attire  of  innocence,  it  will  be  im- 
possible for  one  evil  thought  to  slide  into  our  minds. 
In  that  region  of  perfection  there  will  be  perfect  light 
in  our  understandings, — perfect  rectitude  in  our  wills, — ■ 
perfect  purity  in  our  affections.  Our  spiritualized  bod- 
ies will  then  no  longer  clog  the  soul,  but  rather  assist 
in  quickening  the  movements  of  the  willing  spirit.  In 
heaven,  we  shall  enjoy  an  eternal  communion  with 
Gk)d.  In  this  world  of  clouds  and  shadows,  he  is  oft- 
en a  God  who  hidelh  himself :  but  there,  he  will  re- 
veal Himself  to  the  Church  triumphant,  in  all  the 
splendour  of  his  glory,  in  all  the  fulness  of  his  love. 
There,  we  shall  have  sweet  fellowship  with  angels, 
and  with  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect ;  and 
above  all,  with  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  New  Cove- 
nant. And  there,  with  fulness  of  grace  in  our  hearts, 
33 


386  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

with  diadems  of  glory  on  our  heads,  and  with  the  high 
praises  of  God  upon  our  tongues,  we  shall  surround 
his  throne,  and  shall  reign  with  him  for  ever  and  ever. 
Thus  our  bliss  will  be  perpetual ;  it  will  be  an  Eter- 
nal Joy. 

With  what  gratitude,  if  believers  in  Jesus,  should 
we  now  begin  the  song  of  praise  to  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies, who,  from  the  beginning  hath  chosen  us  unto 
salvation,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit  and  be- 
lief of  the  truth :  to  the  Son  who  hath  redeemed  us 
unto  God  by  his  blood :  and  to  the  Spirit  who  sancti- 
fieth  us,  and  all  the  elect  people  of  God.  Happy, 
thrice  happy  shall  we  be,  if  we  have  the  witness  in 
ourselves,  that  we  are  the  children  of  God,  and  can 
justly  conclude  that  we  have  saving  faith,  from  the 
truth  of  our  sanctification. 

If  we  are  holy,  we  are  believers ;  but  without  holi- 
ness there  can  be  no  settled  principle  of  faith.  It  is 
sin  which  darkens  our  evidences,  and  destroys  our 
comfort,  A  constitutional  morbid  feeling  may  prevent 
our  enjoying  the  blessedness  of  communion  with  God, 
by  the  dread  which  it  creates  in  the  mind :  but,  if  we 
are  happily  preserved  from  this  mental  depression, 
and  are  delivered  from  the  reigning  power  of  sin,  as 
ransomed  sinners  we  ought  to  rejoice  at  all  times,  and 
in  every  thing  to  give  thanks.  This  is  our  privilege 
and  felicity,  as  it  is  the  earnest  and  foretaste  of  our 
eternal  bliss. 

It  is  the  Will  of  God,  that  his  people  should  be  hap- 
py :  the  fault  is  theirs,  if  they  are  not  so.  His  law 
is  good,  as  well  as  just  and  holy ;  its  language  is, 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  387 

"Do  thyself  no  harm." — His  Gospel  is  love,  and 
breathes  good-will  towards  men ;  speaking  peacei 
through  Jesus  Christ,  and  inviting  sinners  to  be  recon- 
ciled to  God.  If  sinners  perish,  the  cause  is  from 
themselves ;  if  they  are  saved,  it  is  through  the  un- 
merited grace  of  God.  Hell  will  be  filled  with  self- 
reproach  ; — Heaven  will  resound  with  never-ending 
praise. 

■  O  !  that  every  self-deceiver  may  be  roused  to  a  sense 
of  his  danger,  ere  it  be  too  late.  The  loss  of  worldly 
property  may  be  retrieved ;  but  our  wasted  moments 
can  never  be  recalled.  How  invaluable  on  the  bed  of 
death  are  moments  to  an  awakened  sinner ;  and  yet 
how  little  do  we  estimate  their  worth,  in  the  day  of 
health  and  plenty.  The  insensibility  of  the  human 
heart  to  eternal  things  is  most  appalling.  A  reflecting 
mind  will  scarcely  think  it  possible  for  a  man  to  be  so 
far  lost  to  sober  reason,  as  to  fancy  himself  safe  whilst 
lying  on  the  brink  of  a  crumbling  precipice,  or  stand- 
ing on  the  vane  of  a  rolling  vessel :  yet,  thus  rash  is 
the  man,  who,  trusting  in  his  own  righteousness,  and 
following  the  sinful  desires  of  his  heart,  fancies  him- 
self secure,  and  his  salvation  certain,  though  he  is 
treasuring  up  to  himself  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath, 
and  revelation  of  the  righteous  judgment  of  God. 

Perhaps  some  may  think,  that  in  the  Christian  world, 
few  are  so  entirely  lost  to  every  feeling  of  self-pres- 
ervation, and  the  solemnities  of  a  future  judgment,  as 
to  act  such  a  madman's  part.  Happy  indeed,  were 
this  the  case, — yea,  happy,  if  men  were  influenced 
by  a  salutary  fear  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  ;  if 


388  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

they  would  be  persuaded  by  the  terrors  of  the  Lord, 
to  seek  him  before  the  door  of  mercy  is  closed.  But 
alas  !  even  under  the  fair  garb  of  Christianity,  noth- 
ing is  more  common  than  such  a  worldly,  carnal  mind. 
Actions  speak  more  forcibly  than  words.  They  are 
the  test  of  character.  Like  fruit  upon  the  tree,  they 
show  the  nature  of  the  man,  while  motives,  like  the 
sap,  are  hidden  from  our  view. 

The  delusions  of  Satan  are  very  powerful.  It  is 
high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep.  No  moment  should 
be  lost  in  deciding  the  important  question,  Am  I 
Christ*s,  or  am  I  not  T — Is  Jesus  the  one  object  of  my 
love,  of  my  desire,  of  my  delight?  Do  I  esteem 
him  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether 
lovely  ? 

O  that  the  Eternal  Spirit  of  all  grace,  may  display 
his  saving  power,  in  convincing  the  sinner  of  his  guilt ; 
in  revealing  to  him  the  mighty  Saviour ;  in  leading 
him  to  Gethsemane,  that  there,  he  may  behold  the 
agony  and  bloody  sweat  of  his  Redeemer  ;  in  con- 
ducting him  to  the  hill  of  Calvary,  that  there,  he  may 
see  the  bleeding  Lamb  of  God,  dying  for  his  sins. — O 
that  the  blessed  Spirit  may  melt  his  heart  to  penitence 
and  love,  renew  his  soul,  bring  him  into  the  Gospel- 
fold,  and  make  him  a  monument  of  mercy,  a  sinner 
saved  by  grace. 

The  door  of  mercy  is  still  open  ;  the  God  of  grace 
is  waiting  to  be  gracious  ;  Jesus  is  pointing  to  his 
hands,  his  feet,  his  side  ;  inviting  us  to  fly  from  wrath 
and  misery,  to  endless  bliss  and  glory.  The  voice  of 
mercy  is  now  heard :  Come,  for  all  things  are  ready. 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  389 

— Come,  for  yet  there  is  room. — Come,  to  the  feast 
prepared  by  Sovereign  Love. — Come,  and  freely  par- 
take of  Gospel  blessings. 

O !  that  Jesus  may  draw  every  heart  to  himself  by 
the  silken  cords  of  love,  till  the  glorious  period  shall 
arrive,  when  all  his  elect  shall  be  gathered  around  his 
throne,  redeemed  out  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and 
people,  and  tongues,  crying  with  a  loud  voice,  and  say- 
ing, "  Salvation  to  our  God,  which  sitteth  upon  the 
throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb." 

"  Oh !  how  the  thought  that  I  shall  know 
The  man  that  suffer'd  here  below, 

To  manifest  his  favour 
To  me,  and  those  whom  most  I  love, 
Or  here,  or  with  himself  above. 
Does  my  delighted  passions  move 

At  that  sweet  word — For  Ever  ! 

"  For  ever  to  behold  him  shine, 
For  evermore  to  call  him  mine, 

And  see  him  still  before  me : 
For  ever  on  his  face  to  gaze, 
And  meet  his  full  assembled  rays, 
While  all  the  Father  he  displays, 

To  all  the  saints  in  glory. 

"  Not  all  things  else  are  half  so  dear, 
As  his  delightful  presence  here, — 

What  must  it  be  in  heav'n  7 
'TIS  heav'n  on  earth  to  hear  him  say — 
As  now  I  journey  day  by  day, 
Poor  sinner,  cast  thy  fears  away. 

Thy  sins  are  all  forgiv'n. 

"  But  how  must  his  celestial  voice 
Make  my  enraptur'd  heart  rejoice, 

When  I,  in  glory,  hear  him : 
While  I,  before  the  heav'nly  gate, 
^  For  everlasting  entrance  wait. 

And  Jesus  on  his  throne  of  state 
Invites  me  to  come  near  him. 

33* 


390  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

"  Come  in,  thou  blessed,  sit  by  me, 
With  my  own  life  I  ransom'd  thee, 

Come  taste  my  perfect  favour : 
Come  in,  thou  happy  spirit,  come ; 
Thou  now  Shalt  dwell  with  me  at  home, 
Ye  blessed  mansions,  make  him  room, 
For  he  must  stay  for  ever. 

"  When  Jesus  thus  invites  me  in. 
How  will  the  heav'nly  host  begin 

To  own  their  new  relation  1 
Come  in  !  come  in  !— the  blissful  sound 
From  every  tongue  will  echo  round, 
Till  all  the  chrystal  walls  resound 

With  joy  of  my  salvation." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Concluding  reflections  on  St.  Paul's  cha- 
racter. 

The  character  and  experience  of  St.  Paul,  though 
imperfectly  delineated  in  the  foregoing  pages,  show 
the  nature  and  blessedness  of  Christianity.  Its  hea- 
venly doctrines,  its  consoling  promises,  its  holy  pre- 
cepts, were  so  many  sources  of  light,  joy,  and  purity, 
which,  through  the  transforming  power  of  the  Spirit, 
made  the  once  persecuting  Saul  of  Tarsus,  a  new 
creature  in  Christ  Jesus. 

It  is  interesting  to  trace  the  origin,  and  pursue  the 
course,  of  those  principles  which  made  him  such  a 
burning  and  shining  light.  Perhaps  no  mere  man  was 
ever  made  so  great  a  blessing  to  mankind,  or  under- 
went such  trials  for  the  sake  of  the  Gospel. 

From  the  short  review  which  we  have  taken  of  the 
life  of  this  holy  man,  it  will  be  evident,  that  he  was  no 
impostor.  His  sacrifice  of  credit,  wealth,  and  power ; 
his  willingness  to  suffer  contempt,  poverty,  and  perse- 
cution, abundantly  clear  his  character  from  this  impu- 
tation. As  far  as  respects  earthly  things,  he  had  no- 
thing to  gain,  but  every  thing  to  lose,  by  declaring 
himself  to  be  a  servant  and  an  Apostle  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

It  is  also  evident,  that  he  was  no  visionary  entkusiasL 


392  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

His  spirit  was  free  from  the  violent  impulses  of  fanati- 
cal delusion  ;  and  his  zeal,  though  fervent,  was  never 
tinctured  with  melancholy  or  vanity.  He  did  not  court 
persecution  or  popularity  to  obtain  a  name  ;  neither  did 
he,  like  the  votaries  of  Pagan  and  Papal  superstition, 
inflict  upon  himself  useless  and  absurd  penances,  with 
a  view  of  propitiating  the  Almighty,  or  purchasing  hea- 
ven. But,  if  to  love  Jesus  with  all  the  heart, — if  to  de- 
vote all  the  powers  of  the  mind  and  body  to  his  ser- 
vice,— if  to  count  all  things  but  loss  to  win  Christ,  and 
be  found  in  Him,  be  enthusiasm  ;  then  we  do  not  hesi- 
tate to  say,  that  St.  Paul  was  indeed  of  all  enthusiasts, 
the  Chief. 

It  must  also  be  apparent  from  what  we  have  seen, 
that  the  Apostle  did  not  embrace  Christianity  through 
the  weakness  of  his  mental  powers  ;  neither  was  he 
duped  by  the  artifice  of  others.  Being  brought  up  at 
the  feet  of  Gamaliel,  a  noted  doctor  of  the  law,  his 
mind  was  well  stored  with  the  learning  of  those  times. 
His  Epistles  afforded  ample  proof  both  of  the  strength 
and  cultivation  of  his  intellectual  faculties  ;  while  his 
commanding  eloquence  extorted  from  King  Agrippa 
that  striking  confession — "  Almost  thou  persuadest  me 
to  be  a  Christian." 

On  his  way  to  Damascus,  he  heard  the  voice,  he 
saw  the  glory,  he  felt  the  power  of  Jesus.  Being 
taught  by  immediate  revelation  from  above,  he  era- 
braced  the  Truth  in  all  its  greatness,  and  straightway 
preached  Christ,  in  the  synagogues,  that  he  is  the  Son 
of  God. 

Can  we  review  so  marvellous  an  event,  and  not  ex- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  393 

claim,  "  This  hath  God  wrought ! — The  finger  of  God 
is  here  !" 

Since  St,  Paul,  as  appears  from  the  clearest  evi- 
dence, neither  sought  to  deceive  others,  nor  was  him- 
self deceived  ;  every  candid  mind  must  be  led  to  these 
conclusions  : — that  his  faith  in  Jesus  was  the  result  of 
an  overwhelming  conviction  of  the  truth  of  Christianity, 
which  all  his  Jewish  prejudices  could  not  withstand  ; 
— that  his  conversion  to  the  faith  which  once  he  de- 
stroyed, was  the  work  of  God  ; — that  the  Christian  re- 
ligion is  a  Divine  Revelation  ; — and  that  to  reject  or 
neglect  the  Gospel,  is  dishonouring  to  God,  and  de- 
structive to  ourselves. 

Blessed  is  he,  who  with  a  thankful  heart  believes 
the  heavenly  Record, — "  That  God  hath  given  to  us 
eternal  life,  and  that  this  life  is  in  his  Son."  As  there 
can  be  no  happiness  without  holiness,  so  there  can  be 
no  holiness  without  an  union  by  faith  to  Jesus.  Are 
we  abiding  in  Him — deriving  strength  from  Him — and 
depending  solely  upon  his  great  atonement  ? 

He  died  for  sinners — We  are  sinners.  He  hath 
said,  "  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out."  If  then,  as  poor  sinners,  we  come  unto 
Him,  we  shall  assuredly  be  saved. 

This  is  the  simple  truth  of  the  Gospel.  Happy  are 
they,  who,  like  St.  Paul,  are  enabled  to  embrace  it 
with  child-like  simplicity :  for  to  all  such,  there  shall 
be  a  performance  of  those  things,  which  were  told 
them  of  the  Lord. 

In  the  sufferings  of  St.  Paul,  we  have  seen  exem- 


394  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

plified  ihat  marked  hostility  which  was  manifested  by 
the  king  of  Syria,  when  he  commanded  his  captains  to 
fight  neither  with  small  nor  great,  save  only  with  the 
king  of  Israel. 

The  enmity  of  the  Jews  and  Gentiles  was  not  di- 
rected against  Saul  of  Tarsus  until  he  became  a  Chris- 
tian^ and  laboured  most  zealously  in  the  cause  of  the 
despised  Nazarene. — It  was  Christ  dwelling  in  his 
heart  by  faith,  Christ  proclaimed  by  him,  as  the  King 
of  Israel,  who  was  the  real  object  of  their  attack. 

The  world  hated  Christ,  and  would  not  have  him  to 
reign  over  tbem.  They  also  hated  his  faithful  ser- 
vants, and  sought  to  destroy  them.  The  enmity  of  the 
natural  heart  still  remains  the  same. 

Let  a  worldly  man,  however  elevated  his  station, 
become  an  humble  follower  of  the  crucified  Jesus,  and 
condemn  the  world  by  his  holy  life,  and  soon  his  once 
attached  friends  will  manifest  their  displeasure,  either 
by  leaving  him  with  disgust,  or  by  visiting  him  with 
scorn  and  insult. 

This  spirit  of  opposition  began  its  deadly  ravages  in 
the  family  of  Adam,  and  is  still  in  active  operation. 
For,  "  As  he  that  was  born  after  the  flesh,  persecuted 
him  that  was  born  after  the  Spirit,  even  so  it  is  now." 
The  prayer  of  David  conveys  the  same  truth,  and 
speaks  the  language  of  the  despised  children  of  God, 
— "  Have  mercy  upon  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon 
us  ;  for  we  are  exceedingly  filled  with  contempt.  Our 
soul  is  exceedingly  filled  with  the  scorning  of  those 
that  are  at  ease,  and  with  the  contempt  of  the  proud." 

Should  it  be  asked — Are  not  the  followers  of  Christ 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  395 

in  danger  of  deserting  him  through  fear  of  suffering  ? 
the  conduct  of  St.  Paul  will  afford  a  sufficient  reply. 
— If  left  to  themselves,  they  would  indeed  fall  away  ; 
therefore  they  dare  not  say  we  will  not ;  but  through 
the  grace  of  Christ  supporting  them,  they  are  enabled 
boldly  to  say, — "  We  are  ready  not  to  be  bound  only, 
but  also  to  die  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 

The  exhortation  of  Peter  is  truly  animating.  Hav- 
ing fallen  through  self-confidence,  but  being  again  re- 
stored through  grace,  he  knew  how  to  strengthen  his 
brethren  :  "  Rejoice,  inasmuch  as  ye  are  partakers  of 
Christ's  sufferings,  that  when  his  glory  shall  be  re- 
vealed, ye  may  be  glad  also  with  exceeding  joy.  If 
ye  be  reproached  for  the  name  of  Christ,  happy  are 
ye ;  for  the  spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  resteth  upon 
you  ;  on  their  part  he  is  evil  spoken  of,  but  on  your 
part  he  is  glorified." 

Jesus  himself  has  put  the  seal  of  blessedness  upon 
his  persecuted  saints  :  "  Blessed  are  ye,  when  men 
shall  hate  you,  and  when  they  shall  separate  you  from 
their  company,  and  shall  reproach  you,  and  cast  out 
your  name  as  evil  for  the  Son  of  Man's  sake  :  rejoice 
ye  in  that  day,  and  leap  for  joy,  for  behold  your  reward 
is  great  in  heaven." 

How  bitter  is  the  enmity  of  wretched  fallen  man 
against  the  God  who  made  him,  who  redeemed  him, 
and  who  waits  to  be  gracious  to  him.  The  zealous 
Paul  once  felt  this  enmity  in  his  state  of  blindness ; 
and  when  converted,  deplored  it  deeply  at  the  foot  of 
the  cross.  May  we  not  enquire  :  What  is  the  state  of 
our  hearts  1     Can  we  suffer  shame  and  reproach  for 


396  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Jesus'  sake  ;  or,  do  we  turn  aside  through  fear,  when 
a  cross  is  appointed  for  us  to  bear  ? 

What  words  can  be  more  awakening,  than  those 
which  Jesus  spoke  to  his  disciples  ; — "  He  that  loveth 
father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not  worth)'-  of  me : 
And  he  that  loveth  son  or  daughter  more  than  me,  is 
not  worthy  of  me  :  And  he  that  taketh  aot  his  cross, 
and  followeth  after  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me." — Ah ! 
who  can  bear  this  touchstone  of  sincerity  ? — who  can 
endure  the  bitter  pang  of  separation  from  the  dearest 
objects  of  their  earthly  affection  ?  Yet  it  must  be  so. 
— With  undivided  hearts,  and  disengaged  affections, 
we  must  follow  our  all-gracious  Saviour,  though  we 
incur  the  frowns  of  relatives,  and  the  loss  of  friends. 
— We  must  be  ready  to  suffer  for  his  sake,  if  we  would 
enjoy  Him  as  our  portion. — To  gain  all,  we  must  be 
willing  to  lose  all ;  for  Christ  hath  said, — "  He  that 
findeth  his  life  shall  lose  it :  and  he  that  loseth  his  life 
for  my  sake  shall  find  it." 

Do  we  feel  our  hearts  growing  cold  ?  Oh !  let  us 
look  unto  Jesus,  till  they  are  filled  with  holy  love. 
He  left  the  bosom  of  the  Father — took  upon  him  our 
nature — entered  into  our  world  of  woe — carried  our 
sorrows — bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree — 
endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame  :  and  then,  as 
the  Lord  of  glory,  he  burst  the  bands  of  death,  ascend- 
ed into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right-hand  of  the 
throne  of  God,  where  he  ever  liveth  to  make  interces- 
sion for  us. 

Can  we  be  insensible  to  such  grace  as  this  ?  0  that 
the  love  of  God  were  shed  abroad  in  every  heart,  then 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  397 

would  earth  resemble  heaven,  and  the  Church  of  Christ 
form  one  holy,  happy,  and  united  family. 

It  cannot  be  too  deeply  impressed  on  the  conscien- 
ces of  men,  that  love  to  Jesus  is  the  spring  of  holy 
obedience.  It  is  the  Divine  Alchymy  vj^hich  turns  all 
into  gold.  A  cup  of  cold  water  given  from  this  prin- 
ciple shall  not  lose  its  reward,  while  the  most  costly 
sacrifice  is  worthless,  if  it  do  not  spring  from  love. 

The  sacred  fire  of  love  can  only  be  kindled  by  Him 
whose  name  and  nature  is  LOVE  ;  and  when  once 
kindled,  it  can  only  be  kept  burning  on  the  altar  of  our 
hearts,  by  the  constant  supply  of  his  grace.  The 
prayer  of  faith  obtains  the  holy  oil  with  which  our 
vessels  must  be  filled,  and  our  lamps  trimmed,  while 
waiting  in  joyful  expectation  for  the  coming  of  the 
Bridegroom.  Increasing  with  the  increase  of  faith  in 
the  atonement  of  Christ,  this  heavenly  flame  will  burn 
brighter  and  more  fervently,  the  nearer  it  approaches 
the  source  from  whence  it  came. 

"  Yes ! — love  indeed  is  light  from  heav'n ; 

A  spark  of  that  immortal  fire 
With  angels  shar'd,  by  Jesus  giv'n, 

To  lift  from  earth  our  low  desire. 
Devotion  wafts  the  mind  above ; 
But  heav'n  itself  descends  in  love ; 
A  feeling  from  the  Godhead  caught 
To  wean  from  self,  each  sordid  thought ; 
A  ray  of  Him  who  form'd  the  whole, 
A  glory  circling  round  the  soul. " 

"  Love  is  of  God  :  and  every  one  that  loveth,  is  bom 
of  God,  and  knoweth  God." — "  God  is  love  ;  and  he 
that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in 
Bim.» 

34 


398  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

Happy  then  is  the  heart  in  which  the  spirit  of  love 
dwells  and  reigns. — Such  a  heart  is  the  abode  of  the 
High  and  Lofty  One  who  inhabiteth  eternity,  whose 
name  is  holy,  and  who  delights  in  the  lowl)?-,  loving 
disciple  of  the  crucified  and  glorified  Jesus — his  co- 
equal, co-eternal  Son. 

Oh !  that  we  may  daily  live  under  the  sweet  con- 
straining influence  of  the  loving-kindness  of  our  God. 
Without  it,  all  is  dark  and  cheerless  :  with  it,  joy  and 
peace,  like  lovely  flowers,  spring  up  around  our  path. 
What  are  all  the  vanities  of  time,  but  painted  bubbles, 
when  compared  with  this  eternal  treasure  ? — Love, 
joy,  peace,  survive  the  tomb ;  and  form  that  amaran- 
thine wreath  which  shall  for  ever  adorn  and  gladden 
the  soul  of  the  glorified  believer. 

Like  his  Divine  Master,  St.  Paul  had  no  certain 
dwelling-place.  He  was  truly  a  pilgrim  and  a  stran- 
ger upon  earth.  Wherever  he  went,  bonds  and  im- 
prisonments awaited  him.  We,  on  the  contrary,  in 
these  days  of  the  Church's  prosperity,  can  dwell  at 
ease,  none  making  us  afraid.  The  law  does  not  un- 
sheath  the  sword  of  persecution,  nor  kindle  the  mar- 
tyr's fire.  Is  there  not  then  cause  for  anxious  appre- 
hension, lest,  while  we  profess  much  love  for  Christ, 
our  hearts  should  cleave  unto  the  dust?  Are  we  not 
in  danger  of  making  a  home  of  this  world,  and  of  set- 
ting up  our  rest  here,  as  if  this  wilderness  were  the 
promised  Canaan,  rather  than  the  road  through  which 
we  have  to  pass  to  it. 

As  professing  Christians,  living  in  the  midst  of  Gos- 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE-  399 

pel  light  and  Gospel  privileges,  we  can  readily  exclaim 
against  the  idolatries  of  the  Heathen,  while  we  forget, 
that  whatever  draws  away  the  heart  from  God,  is  an 
idol  in  his  sight.  Our  domestic  ease,  our  family  com- 
forts, too  often  become  our  household  gods,  at  whose 
shrine  we  sacrifice  the  claims  of  Christian  charity, 
and  the  spiritual  interests  of  perishing  millions.  "  All 
seek  their  own,  not  the  things  which  are  Jesus  Christ's." 

There  is  in  every  man  a  powerful  principle,  which 
God  has  wisely  implanted  for  the  purposes  of  self- 
preservation.  The  second  great  commandment  in  the 
Law  appeals  to  this  principle :  "  Thou  shall  love  thy 
neighbour  as  thyself."  Jesus  refers  to  it :  "  All  things 
whatsover  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye 
even  so  to  them,  for  this  is  the  Law  and  the  Prophets." 

But  there  is  a  sinful  love  of  self — a  spirit  of  selfish- 
ness which  is  utterly  at  variance  with  the  law  of  love. 
Nothing  can  extirpate  this  evil  principle  but  love  to 
Christ.  As  believers  in  Jesus,  we  must  daily  live  in 
the  exalted  spirit  of  his  new  commandment :  "  Love  one 
another,  as  /  have  loved  you?'*  The  love  of  Christ  to 
us  is  the  Gospel  pattern  of  our  love  to  others. 

With  enlarged  heart,  the  Apostle  enforced  this  dis- 
interested duty  on  the  Philippian  Christians  ; — "  Let 
each  esteem  other  better  than  themselves.  Look  not 
every  man  on  his  own  things,  but  every  man  also  on 
the  things  of  others.  Let  this  mind  be  in  you  which 
was  also  in  Christ  Jesus." 

With  thankfulness  to  Almighty  God  we  must  ac- 
knowledge, that,  of  late  years  much  has  been  done  in 
our  favoured  island  io  advance  the  cause  of  Christ 


400  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

throughout  the  earth ;  as  well  as  to  widen  the  circle 
of  general  beneficence  :  yet  much  still  remains  to  be 
done.  This  is  but  the  seed-time  of  the  world.  Let  us 
then,  in  the  spirit  of  faith  and  prayer,  cast  our  bread- 
corn  on  the  waters,  for  we  shall  find  it  after  many  days. 

If  we  truly  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  shall, 
and  must,  rejoice  in  every  thing  which  advances  the 
interests  of  his  kingdom.  A  heart  warmed  with  the 
love  of  God,  cannot  rest  satisfied  with  mere  verbal 
expressions  of  gratitude,  for  the  blessings  of  redemp- 
tion. Love  is  an  active  principle.  Its  language  is, — 
What  can  I  do,  however  feebly,  to  promote  the  great 
and  good  work  of  evangelizing  the  world  ?  If  contri- 
buting of  my  substance  will  aid  the  noble  cause,  I  will 
gladly  cast  into  the  treasury  of  that  which  God  hath 
given  me.  If  active  exertion  be  required,  I  am  willing 
to  spend,  and  be  spent  in  advancing  my  Saviour's 
kingdom.  If  advocating  the  cause  of  Christ  be  need- 
ed, I  will  endeavour  to  speak,  though  with  a  faultering 
tongue.  Such  is  the  language  of  love.  To  all  this,  the 
servant  of  Christ  will  join  his  fervent  prayers,  and  re- 
joice, with  all  his  Christian  brethren,  at  the  enlarge- 
ment and  prosperity  of  Zion. 

"  He  which  soweth  sparingly,  shall  reap  also  spa- 
ringly ;  and  he  which  soweth  bountifully,  shall  reap 
also  bountifully," — is  the  Apostle's  appeal  to  our  Chris- 
tian liberality.  Do  we  act  agreeably  to  this  practical 
knowledge  ?  Do  the  rich  professors  of  Christianity 
never  first  consult  their  family  luxuries,  their  equipa- 
ges, and  decorations,  before  they  dare  to  answer  the 
Saviour's  call :  "  Sell  that  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  401 

poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven,  and  come, 
and  follow  me."  Our  loving  Saviour,  though  he  does 
not  require  his  followers  to  enter  upon  a  state  of  vo- 
luntary poverty,  or  to  deny  themselves  the  innocent 
enjoyment  of  his  providential  bounties  ;  yet,  he  does 
demand  their  chief  affection,  and  a  willingness  to  im- 
part cheerfully  of  their  substance  for  his  sake. 

"  As  Jesus  sat  over  against  the  treasury,  he  beheld 
how  the  people  cast  money  into  the  treasury:  and 
many  that  were  rich  cast  in  much.  And  there  came  a 
certain  poor  widow,  and  she  threw  in  two  mites,  which 
make  a  farthing."  Many  are  willing  to  make  an  offer- 
ing out  of  their  competency,  but  few,  to  make  a  sacri- 
fice of  their  comforts.  Liberality  must  be  estimated, 
not  by  quantity,  but  proportion.  A  splendid  gift  from  a 
wealthy  person  forms  only  an  offering,  when  no  incon- 
venience is  felt  by  the  rich  donation  ; — A  small  sum 
given  by  a  poor  man  is  a  real  sacrifice,  when  some 
privation  is  experienced  by  this  act  of  generosity.  On 
this  account  it  was,  that,  looking  at  the  largeness  of 
her  heart,  and  the  smallness  of  her  means,  our  Lord 
declared, — "  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  this  poor  wi- 
dow hath  cast  more  in  than  all  they  which  have  cast 
into  the  treasury.  For  all  they  did  cast  in  of  their 
abundance ;  but  she  of  her  want,  did  cast  in  all  that 
she  had,  even  all  her  living." 

As  the  love  of  the  world  is  the  sin  which  easily  be- 
sets us,  when  sheltering  itself  under  the  creditable 
appellation  of  prudence,  economy,  and  forethought, 
our  Saviour  has  given  us  a  double  caution  against  its 
pernicious   influence.    "Take  heed,  and  beware  of 


402  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

covetousness." — "  Watch  and  pray,  lest  ye  enter  into 
temptation." 

The  Gospel  indeed  does  not  condemn  a  prudent 
management  of  our  concerns  ; — it  rather  enjoins  it : 
for,  "  a  good  man  will  guide  his  affairs  with  discre- 
tion:"— but,  it  does  condemn  that  anxious,  murmur- 
ing, fretful  spirit,  which  disfigures  the  conduct  of  many 
professors. 

How  cheering  are  the  words  of  St.  Paul ;  "  Be 
careful  for  nothing,  but  in  every  thing  by  prayer  and 
supplication  with  thanksgiving  let  your  requests  be 
made  known  unto  God." — "  I  would  have  you  without 
carefulness."  Christian  Reader,  behold  your  privi- 
lege,— "  Be  careful  for  nothing."  When  any  trial  comes 
upon  you  which  would  fill  you  with  anxiety,  (for  who 
can  escape  from  trouble  in  this  fallen  world)  do  not 
grapple  with  it  in  your  own  strength,  nor  lean  to  your 
own  understanding.  Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  your 
heart ;  betake  yourself  by  earnest  prayer  to  the  Fa- 
ther of  mercies  ;  implore  Him  to  direct  and  overrule 
for  good  "  the  cloud  you  so  much  dread,"  and  then, 
calmly  leave  at  his  feet  the  burden  of  your  fears. — Do 
this  with  thankfulness,  that  you  have  such  a  God  who 
careth  for  you,  and  on  whom  you  may  boldly  cast  all 
your  solicitude.  While  you  thus  acknowledge  Him  in 
all  your  ways,  God  will  direct  your  paths,  and  either 
support  you  under,  or  deliver  you  out  of,  all  your 
troubles. 

How  sweet  is  the  voice  of  mercy  speaking  peace  to 
the  troubled  heart, — "  Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth 
in  the  Lord,  and  whose  hope  the  Lord  is.  For  he  shall 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  403 

be  as  a  tree  planted  by  the  waters,  and  that  spreadeth 
out  her  roots  by  the  river,  and  shall  not  see  when  heat 
Cometh,  but  her  leaf  shall  be  green  ;  and  shall  not  be 
careful  in  the  year  of  drought,  neither  shall  cease  from 
yielding  fruit."  He,  on  the  con  tray,  who,  when  trou- 
ble overtakes  him,  will  first  measure  it  with  his  rea- 
son, and  manage  it  with  his  own  counsel,  and  take  the 
care  upon  himself,  rather  than  cast  his  burden  upon 
the  Lord  by  faith  and  prayer,  shall  involve  himself  in 
many  miseries,  lose  his  joy  and  peace  in  God,  sink 
deeper  in  the  miry  clay,  and  in  the  end  obtain  nothing 
but  vexation  of  spirit.  For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  "  Cur- 
sed be  the  man  that  trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh  flesh 
his  arm,  and  whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord.  He 
shall  be  like  the  heath  in  th€  desert,  and  shall  not  see 
when  good  cometh  ;  but  shall  inhabit  the  parched  pla- 
ces in  the  wilderness,  in  a  salt  land  and  not  inhabited.'' 
O  how  quieting  to  the  afflicted  believer  are  the  words 
of  Jesus, — "  Take  no  thought  for  the  morrow  ;  for  the 
morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself.  Suf- 
ficient unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof." — "  Let  not 
your  heart  be  troubled." — "  Neither  be  ye  of  doubtful 
mind."  Happy  is  that  soul  whose  hopes  are  firmly  an- 
chored on  the  promises  of  Christ.  We  live  alas  !  far, 
far  too  much  below  our  privileges.  Had  we  more  faith, 
and  spiritual-mindedness,  we  should  have  more  strength 
and  joy  in  every  tribulation  ;  our  moderation  would  be 
known  unto  all  men  ;  our  conversation  would  be  with- 
out covetousness  ;  we  should  be  content  with  such 
things  as  we  have  on  our  journey  heavenward ;  and 
our  minds  being  fully  stayed  upon  Him  who  hath  said, 


404  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

"  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee,"  would  be 
kept  in  perfect  peace.  Such  was  the  happy  spirit  in 
which  the  primitive  Christians  lived  and  died.  They 
learned  in  whatsoever  state  they  were,  therewith  to  be 
content ;  and  took  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  their  goods, 
knowing  in  themselves,  that  they  had  in  heaven  a  bet- 
ter and  an  enduring  substance. 

Do  we  act  as  .stewards  of  the  manifold  gifts  of  God 
avoiding  parsimonious  cares,  and  wasteful  expendi- 
tures 1  Knowing  that  we  are  not  our  own,  being 
bought  with  a  price,  even  the  precious  blood  of  the 
Son  of  God,  do  we  seek  for  grace  to  live  to  our  Re- 
deemer's glory?  The  world  would  no  longer  sway 
our  affections,  did  we  daily  reflect  how  quickly  the 
fashion  of  it  is  passing  away ;  and  how  soon  we  shall 
be  called  to  give  an  account  of  our  stewardship,  either 
for  the  one,  or  for  the  ten,  talents  which  may  have 
been  entrusted  to  our  care. 

Though  all  do  not  become  martyrs,  yet  all  must  pos- 
sess the  martyr's  spirit ;  and  though  all  are  not  called 
upon  to  forsake  their  houses  and  friends,  as  the  noble- 
minded  Paul  did,  yet  all  must  be  in  readiness  to  do 
so,  when  the  cause  and  glory  of  Christ  demand  the 
sacrifice. 

It  was  "to  all  that  be  in  Rome,  beloved  of  God, 
called  to  be  saints,"  that  he  gave  the  exhortation,  "  Be 
not  conformed  to  this  world."  The  very  admonition 
implies  the  danger  of  worldly  conformity,  and  the 
proneness  of  the  heart  to  earthly  things.  Who  can 
say:  that  he  is  always  raised  above  the  undue  in- 
fluence of  terrestial  objects  ; — that  he  is  daily  passing 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  405 

as  it  were,  upon  tiptoe,  across  this  world  of  vanity. 
Alas !  alas  !  we  too  often  sink  into  the  mire  of  earth- 
ly-mindedness,  and  have  our  thoughts  absorbed  amidst 
the  trifles  of  a  day !  But  what  can  the  world  profit 
us  ?  It  can  neither  secure  us  against  temporal  evils, 
nor  save  us  from  eternal  misery.  It  cannot,  for  a 
single  moment,  prolong  our  existence  here,  or  make 
that  existence  peaceful  and  happy.  It  is  often  a  clog, 
but  never  a  help  in  moments  of  spiritual  distress.  And 
yet,  we  love  the  world,  though,  by  its  deceitful  smile, 
it  robs  us  of  our  peace,  entangles  us  in  its  snares,  and 
would,  if  left  under  its  power,  eventually  destroy  our 
souls. 

The  heavenly-mindedness  and  contempt  of  the 
world  which  shone  so  brightly  in  the  lives  of  the  first 
Christians  may  well  cause  us  to  blush.  These  de- 
voted followers  of  a  crucified  Redeemer  did  not  study 
those  arts  of  splendour  which  have  overspread  the 
Christian  world.  When  the  honour  of  their  Divine 
Master  required  the  sacrifice,  they  could  trample  un- 
der foot,  those  profits  and  pleasures  which  ensnare 
and  enslave  mankind.  They  looked  upon  the  delights 
and  advantages  of  this  life,  as  things  not  worthy  to 
arrest  their  affections  in  their  journey  homeward. 
Their  spirits  breathed  in  too  pure  an  air,  to  be  caught 
with  the  delusive  charms  of  this  lower  world.  It  was 
their  continual  care  to  keep  company  with  dying 
thoughts^  and  to  dwell  within  the  prospect  of  eter- 
nity. Hence,  Justin  Martyr  in  his  Epistle  says,  that 
Christians,  even  in  their  native  country,  live  as  pil- 
grims and  strangers.     They  are  in  the  flesh,  but  do 


406  CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE. 

not  live  after  the  flesh  ;  they  dwell  upon  the  earth,  but 
their  conversation  is  in  heaven,  As  the  soul  lives  in 
the  body,  but  is  not  of  the  body,  so  says  this  ancient 
Apologist,  Christians  dwell  in  the  world,  but  are  not 
of  the  world  ;  for^  while  so-journying  in  corruptible 
tabernacles  of  clay,  their  immortal  spirits  are  daily 
longing  for,  and  expecting  an  incorruptible  state  of 
glory  in  heaven. 

The  simplicity  of  these  early  believers  in  Jesus, 
kept  them  from  aspiring  after  worldly  honours  and  dis- 
tinctions :  and,  if  at  any  time  advanced  to  them,  their 
greatest  care  was,  to  keep  themselves  unspotted  from 
the  world.  When  Cyprian  was  elected  Bishop  of 
Carthage,  his  modesty  and  humility  made  him  fly  from 
the  first  approaches  of  the  news.  Thinking  himself 
unfit  for  so  weighty  and  honourable  an  employment, 
he  desired  that  a  more  worthy  person,  and  some  of  his 
seniors  in  the  faith  might  possess  the  place.  So  far 
from  accepting  his  refusal,  the  people  were  more  ur- 
gent in  their  entreaties;  his  doors  were  immediately 
crowded,  and  passages  of  escape  blocked  up.  He 
would  indeed  have  fled  out  at  the  window,  but  finding 
it  in  vain,  he  unwillingly  yielded,  the  people  in  the 
meanwhile  impatiently  waiting,  divided  between  hope 
and  fear,  till  seeing  him  come  forth,  they  received  him 
with  miiversal  joy  and  satisfaction. 

Can  we  wonder  that  such  a  feeling  should  be  ex- 
pressed towards  this  excellent  man,  when  it  is  record- 
ed of  him,  that  upon  his  becoming  Christian,  he  sold 
his  estate,  to  relieve  the  necessities  of  his  poor  breth- 
ren, from  which  he  could  not  be  restrained,  either  by 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  407 

the  persuasions  of  others,  or  from  the  considerations 
of  the  want  to  which  he  himself  might  be  reduced. 
After  his  entrance  upon  the  ministry,  his  doors  were 
open  to  all  who  came,  from  which  no  widow  ever  re- 
turned empty.  To  any  who  were  blind,  he  became  a 
guide  to  direct  them  ;  to  them  who  were  lame,  he  lent 
his  assistance  and  support.  None  were  oppressed, 
but  he  was  ready  to  defend  them.  He  was  the  father, 
the  friend,  and  the  shepherd  of  his  flock.  With 
Job,  he  could  truly  say, — "  When  the  ear  heard  me, 
then  it  blessed  me ;  and  when  the  eye  saw  me,  it 
gave  witness  to  me :  because  1  delivered  the  poor  that 
cried,  and  the  fatherless,  and  him  that  had  none  to 
help  him.  The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to 
perish  came  upon  me ;  and  1  caused  the  widow's 
heart  to  sing  for  joy.  I  was  eyes  to  the  blind,  and 
feet  was  I  to  the  lame  ;  I  was  a  father  to  the  poor,  and 
and  the  cause  which  I  knew  not  I  searched  out." — 
Thus  Cyprian  like  the  blessed  Paul,  lived  for  one  only 
object — the  glory  of  Christ  and  the  salvation  of  men. 
Contentment,  moderation,  and  thankfulness  peculiar- 
ly distinguished  the  primitive  Christians.  This  lovely 
feature  in  their  character  is  strikingly  pourtrayed  by 
Gregory,  bishop  of  Nyssa  ; — "  The  transitory  condition 
of  man's  life,"  says  he,  "  calls  for  daily  reparation  of 
the  decays  of  nature.  He,  therefore,  that  looks  no  far- 
ther than  to  minister  to  the  desires  of  nature,  and  trou- 
bles not  himself  with  vain  anxious  thoughts  for  more 
than  is  necessary,  lives  little  less  than  the  life  of  an- 
gels ;  whilst,  by  a  mind  content  with  little,  he  imitates 
their  want  of  nothing.     For  this  cause,  we  are  com- 


408  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

manded  to  seek  only  what  is  enough  to  keep  the  body 
in  its  due  state  and  temper,  and  thus  to  address  our 
prayers  to  God  :  '  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.' — 
Give  us  bread,  not  delicacies  or  riches,  not  splendid 
and  purple  clothing,  not  pearls  and  jewels,  large  fields 
and  great  possessions,  not  numerous  flocks  and  herds 
of  cattle,  or  a  multitude  of  servants,  not  any  of  those 
things  by  which  the  soul  is  diverted,  and  drawn  from 
more  noble  and  divine  thoughts  and  cares,  but  only — 
*  our  daily  hread.^  " 

Thus  practically  did  the  primitive  Christians  follow 
the  command  of  our  Saviour  :  "  Take  no  thought,  say- 
ing, what  shall  we  eat  ?  or,  what  shall  we  drink  ?  or, 
wherewithal  shall  we  be  clothed?"  Having  food  and 
raiment  they  learned  to  be  therewith  content.  Thus, 
unhesitatingly,  could  they  declare  their  renunciation 
of  all  things  for  his  sake  ;  "  Lo,  we  have  left  all,  and 
have  followed  thee." — Thus  deeply  did  they  drink  into 
the  spirit  of  their  beloved  Lord,  who  said,  "  My  meat 
and  drink  is  to  do  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  and  to 
finish  his  work." 

O  how  seldom,  in  these  modern  times,  do  we  find 
that  full  display  of  the  mind  of  Christ,  which  was  ex- 
hibited amidst  the  storms  of  persecution  in  the  early 
ages  of  Christianity. — May  the  Divine  Spirit  revive 
our  languid  graces. — May  we  daily  look  unto  Him, 
who,  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes,  became 
poor,  that  we  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich. — The 
tendency  of  the  Gospel  is  to  expand  the  heart,  to 
widen  the  stream  of  liberality,  to  diffuse  happiness 
through  the  earth. — When  its  power  is  felt,  its  fruits 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  409 

immediately  appear.  Love  oils  the  wheels  of  action, 
while  faith  propels  the  ardent  spirit  in  its  career  of 
universal  benevolence. — But,  if  few  be  found  willing 
to  sacrifice  their  superfiuities  for  the  Gospel's  sake, 
how  much  fewer  are  found  ready  to  leave  the  bosom  of 
an  affectionate  family,  to  brave  the  dangers  of  the 
ocean,  to  endure  the  sicknesses  of  foreign  climes,  and 
all  those  other  trials  which  await  the  man,  who  in  the 
spirit  of  the  self-denying  Apostle,  delights  to  preach 
among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ, 
and  would  rather  die  than  forsake  his  God  and 
Saviour. 

Few,  like  Caleb,  follow  the  Lord  fully.  Yet  nothing 
is  more  abhorrent  to  our  all-gracious  Redeemer,  than 
a  divided  heart  and  a  lukewarm  spirit.  As  all  our 
happiness  in  time  and  in  eternity  is  the  fruit  of  his 
love  to  us :  so  all  our  holiness  is  the  fruit  of  his  Spi- 
rit, drawing  our  hearts,  and  fixing  them  wholly  upon 
Himself.  It  is  the  office  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  take  of 
the  things  of  Christ,  and  to  show  them  unto  us  ;  to 
convince  us  of  the  emptiness  of  every  earthly  good  ; 
and  the  folly  of  seeking  our  happiness  in  a  world 
which  lieth  in  wickedness.  Sin  blinds  the  under- 
standing, and  sears  the  conscience ;  but,  when  the 
heart  is  filled  with  the  love  and  Spirit  of  Jesus,  how 
weak  are  the  temptations  of  Satan, — how  powerless 
are  the  allurements  of  the  world, — how  comparatively 
smooth  the  paths  of  sorrow.  May  we  be  graciously 
delivered  from  a  worldly  spirit,  which  can  assume  a 
thousand  forms  to  allure  and  to  deceive.  To  be  in  the 
world,  and  yet  not  of  the  world, — to  use  it  for  our  tem- 
35 


410  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCR. 

poral  necessities,  and  yet  not  to  abuse  it  for  carnal 
purposes,  is  a  high  Christian  attainment,  which  St. 
Paul  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree. 

From  the  Book  of  Nature  we  may  derive  much  use- 
ful knowledge.  Solomon  sends  the  sluggard  to  the 
ant.  Isaiah,  the  inconsiderate,  to  the  ox  and  the  ass. 
Jeremiah,  the  forgetful,  to  the  stork  and  the  swallow. 
Animals  and  birds  teach  us  many  important  lessons  : 
— Thus,  when  the  squirrel  is  disturbed,  it  skips  from 
bough  to  bough,  continuing  always  near  the  earth ; 
while  the  lark,  when  alarmed  in  her  nest,  flies  up- 
wards with  rapid  wing,  singing  as  she  soars.  Just  so 
the  worldling,  when  beset  with  grief,  goes  from  one 
terrestrial  object  to  another  ;  while  the  Christian,  leav- 
ing all  his  earthly  cares  behind  him,  rises  on  the 
wings  of  faith  and  prayer,  to  seek,  with  tuneful  heart, 
his  rest  in  God. 

Do  we  thus  seek  for  consolation  from  our  God  and 
Saviour,  and  find  it  in  the  hour  of  trial  1  Jacob  wrestled 
and  prevailed. — May  we  be  Israels  with  God,  and 
never  cease  to  pray,  till  he  vouchsafe  that  realizing 
faith,  which  lessens  the  weight  of  earthly  sorrow ; 
that  hope  and  fear  which  bear  the  soul  with  steady 
flight  to  heavenly  glory  ! 

Jesus,  dwelling  in  the  heart  by  faith,  invigorates  the 
feeblest  saint,  and  dispels  the  deepest  gloom.  The 
believer,  resting  in  the  full  assurance  of  hope  upon 
the  unchanging  promises  of  his  Saviour,  triumphs  over 
every  enemy,  and  reaches  in  safety  his  eternal  rest. 

Such   was   the    blessedness   which   cheered    and 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  411 

Strengthened  the  heart  of  St.  Paul,  and  such  is  the 
blessedness  which  animates  all  the  children  of  God. 

In  the  days  of  his  unregeneracy,  we  have  seen  how 
the  Apostle  prided  himself  in  being  a  descendant  of 
Abraham  ;  or,  as  he  styled  himself,  "  an  Hebrew  of 
the  Hebrews."  Like  the  rest  of  the  Pharisees,  he 
esteemed  himself  to  be  righteous,  and  despised  others, 
especially  the  Gentiles,  who  were  aliens  from  the  com- 
monwealth of  Israel,  and  strangers  from  the  covenants 
of  promise.  But,  when  it  pleased  God  to  reveal  to 
him  that  Saviour,  by  whom  the  middle  wall  of  parti- 
tion was  broken  down,  he  could  give  the  right-hand  of 
fellowship  to  all,  whether  Jews  or  Gentiles,  who  loved 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity. 

This  is  the  true  Christian  spirit,  which  unites  the 
whole  body  of  the  Church,  by  that  charity  which  is 
the  bond  of  perfectness.  For  this  uniting  spirit,  our 
divine  Redeemer  supplicated  his  Holy  Father,  pre- 
vious to  his  crucifixion  :  "  Sanctify  them  through  thy 
Truth  ; — thy  Word  is  truth  :  that  they  all  may  be  one  ; 
as  thou  Father  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us ;  that  the  world  may  believe  that 
thou  hast  sent  me."  If  union  be  the  strength  and 
beauty  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  how  great  must  be 
the  guilt  of  those  who  tarnish  and  weaken  it  by  con- 
tentions and  divisions. 

Through  the  blindness  of  our  minds,  we  are  too 
ready  to  value  ourselves  upon  our  external  privileges, 
as  if  belonging  to  a  pure  Church  must  of  necessity 
make  us  pure.     It  is  one  thing  to  make  a  profession 


412  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

of  religion,  and  another  to  possess  its  spirit,  and  to  feel 
its  power. 

From  Scripture  and  experience  we  learn  that  the 
heart  of  man,  while  alienated  from  the  life  of  God,  is 
the  same  in  all  ages  and  countries.  Outward  circum- 
stances indeed  make  some  difference,  but  the  radical 
evils  of  the  heart  remain  the  same.  In  Christian  lands, 
unconverted  persons  are  no  better  than  heathens,  ex- 
cept as  they  are  brought  under  the  predominating  influ- 
ence of  Christianity,  which  restrains  their  vices ; 
while,  in  those  nations,  where  sensuality  forms  a  part 
of  the  prevailing  superstition,  they  are  more  openly 
licentious. 

How  little  reason  have  we  then  to  plume  ourselves 
upon  our  outward  advantages,  or  to  exalt  ourselves 
above  others  ;  when  the  difference  arises,  not  from  any 
superior  natural  goodness  of  our  own,  but  from  cir- 
cumstances over  which,  as  far  as  we  are  concerned, 
our  wisdom  and  foresight  had  no  controul.  Wicked 
men  are  greatly  indebted  to  Christianity,  and  to  the 
restraining  grace  of  God,  for  numberless  outward  com- 
forts which  they  enjoy,  though  they  either  know  it  not, 
or  are  unwilling  to  acknowledge  it.  But  oh  I  what  an 
unspeakable  mercy  is  converting  grace,  which  brings 
unnumbered  blessings  in  its  train  :  for  godliness  hath 
the  promise  not  only  of  the  life  that  now  is,  but  also 
of  that  which  is  to  come. 

This  blessedness,  St.  Paul  experienced  in  all  its 
richness  ;  and  proclaimed  it  to  a  dying  world,  in  all 
its  fulness.  He  knew,  that  the  grace  of  God  makes 
all  the  difference  between  one  man  and  another; — 


CHRISTIAN   EXPERIENCE.  413 

collectively,  between  nations,  where  Christianity  is 
established,  and  where  it  is  not : — individually,  between 
those  who  are  Christians  indeed,  and  those  who  are 
Christians  only  in  name.  Being  well  acquainted  with 
the  workings  of  spiritual  pride,  he  put  these  humbling 
questions  to  each  Corinthian  convert :  "  Who  maketh 
thee  to  differ  from  another  ?  And  what  hast  thou,  that 
thou  didst  not  receive  ?  Now,  if  thou  didst  receive 
it,  why  dost  thou  glory,  as  if  thou  hadst  not  receiv- 
ed it?" 

Are  we  the  subjects  of  this  distinguishing  grace  ? 
With  what  ardour  then  should  we  follow  the  footsteps 
of  the  Apostle,  and  engage  with  all  our  hearts  in  the 
service  qf  our  Redeemer.  Has  the  Spirit  drawn  us 
to  Christ  with  the  cords  of  love  1  How  zealously  then 
should  we  labor  for  the  conversion  of  mankind.  Though 
despised  by  the  world,  we  shall  be  precious  in  the 
sight  of  God.  Though,  by  nature,  devoid  of  spiritual 
light  and  power,  we  shall  become,  through  the  Spirit, 
*'  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  and  "  the  light  of  the  world." 
Thus  was  Abraham  blessed  of  God,  and  made  a  bless- 
ing to  all  around  him  ;  and  so  are  all,  who  walk  in  the 
steps  of  that  faith  of  our  father  Abraham,  which  ob- 
tained for  him  that  exalted  title — "  the  friend  of 
God." 

May  the  universal  Church  of  Christ,  by  whatever 
names  its  several  parts  may  be  distinguished  among 
men,  be  stirred  up  to  active  zeal  and  self-denial,  to  in- 
creased liberality  and  fervent  prayer.  Then  will  our 
Zion  become  a  praise  in  the  earth,  and  all  the  ends  of 
the  world  shall  see  the  salvation  of  our  God. 


414  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIEXCE. 

When  we  survey  those  regions  of  the  earth,  where 
the  light  of  Truth  has  not  yet  penetrated,  inhabited  by 
millions  of  immortal  beings  who  are  successively  pass- 
ing into  eternity,  what  daily  cause  have  we  to  bless 
God,  that  our  lot  has  been  cast  in  a  land  of  Bibles 
and  Sabbaths  ;  a  land,  where  his  ministers  are  appoint- 
ed to  proclaim  the  Gospel  of  peace  ;  where  we  are 
governed  by  equal  laws ;  and  where  we  enjoy  the 
blessing  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 

O !  that  we  may  not,  by  our  wilful  and  continued 
ingratitude,  provoke  our  God  to  withdraw  these  bless- 
ings from  us.  As  a  nation,  we  have  long  enjoyed  his 
peculiar  favour  ;  and  as  a  nation,  we  are  unmindful  of 
his  benefits.  By  his  present  dispensations  towards 
us.  He  calls  to  us,  in  mercy,  to  consider  our  ways. 
But,  if  his  call  of  mercy  be  disregarded,  he  will  speak 
with  a  voice  of  judgment,  which  shall  cause  the  stout- 
est hearts  to  tremble. 

The  Almighty  has  put  a  singular  honour  upon  his 
Church,  not  only  by  imparting  to  it  his  blessing,  and 
causing  it  to  reflect  his  glory,  but  by  rendering  it  the 
medium,  whereby  his  perfections  are  more  fully  known 
to  the  angelic  host.  In  heaven,  they  behold  one  un- 
broken stream  of  love  ;  in  hell,  one  unmixed  torrent 
of  wrath.  But,  in  this  our  world,  the  seemingly  op- 
posing attributes  of  justice  and  mercy,  are  displayed 
in  all  their  glory  at  the  cross  of  Christ. 

This  wonderful  truth  is  mentioned  by  St.  Paul  in 
his  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians  :  "  Unto  me,  who  am  less 
than  the  least  of  all  saints  is  this  grace  given,  that  I 
should  preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchabla 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  415 

riches  of  Christ,  and  to  make  all  men  see  what  is  the 
fellowship  of  the  mystery,  which  from  the  beginning 
of  the  world  hath  been  hid  in  God,  who  created  all 
things  by  Jesus  Christ :  to  the  intent,  that  now,  unto 
the  principalities  and  powers  in  heavenly  places,  might 
be  known  hy  the  Church,  the  manifold  wisdom  of 
God." 

Can  we  be  indifferent  to  this  mystery  of  grace? 
Can  we  treat  with  lightness  these  wonders  of  redemp- 
tion, which  occupy  the  highest  thoughts,  and  call  forth 
the  loudest  praise,  of  principalities  and  powers  in 
heavenly  places  ?  Could  angels  weep,  surely,  tears 
would  be  shed  in  heaven  over  the  insensibility  of 
man. 

To  display  this  redeeming  grace  to  a  dying  world, 
was  at  once  the  labour  and  delight  of  St.  Paul.  The 
Godhead  of  Christ,  his  atonement,  resurrection,  and 
glorification,  constituted  the  grand  subjects  of  his 
preaching.  He  was  truly  a  scribe  well-instructed  in 
the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom. 

This  wise  master-builder  did  not  exalt  Christ  on  the 
ruins  of  the  Moral  Law,  nor  raise  human  works  to  an 
equality  with  the  righteousness  of  Christ.  He  did  not 
magnify  the  sovereignty  of  God  to  the  disparagement 
of  his  holiness,  nor  lower  the  claims  of  justice  to  en- 
hance the  charms  of  mercy.  In  the  beautiful  harmony 
of  truth,  he  so  revealed  the  divine  perfections,  that 
with  David  we  are  led  to  exclaim,  "  Mercy  and  truth 
are  met  together,  righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed 
each  other."     Having  received  the  Gospel  by  the  re- 


416  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 

velation  of  Jesus  Christ,  he  saw  and  proclaimed  the 
glory  of  the  cross,  whereby  God  can  be  just,  and  yet 
the  justifier  of  the  ungodly ;  faithful  and  just  to  for- 
give us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us._from  all  unright- 
eousness. 

"  If  we  desire  that  our  faith  may  be  kept  from  faul- 
tering,  we  ought  to  be  always  upon  our  guard  against 
every  opinion,  the  drift  of  which  is  to  lower  the  Author 
and  Finisher  of  it :  because  every  thing  that  tends  to 
lessen  our  Redeemer's  glory,  and  to  detract  from  what 
he  has  done  for  us,  weakens  our  faith,  unhinges  our 
hope,  and  destroys  our  confidence.  Therefore,  as  we 
should  avoid  those  as  the  spreaders  of  the  most  dan- 
gerous plague,  who  would  reduce  our  Saviour  to  the 
low  rank  of  a  creature  ;  so  we  shall  be  afraid  of  par- 
taking of  the  infectious  leaven  of  such  as  would  bring 
us  off  from  looking  for  our  salvation  from  Christ  alone, 
and  would  persuade  us  to  expect  that  from  our  faith, 
repentance,  sincerity,  and  obedience,  which  was  pro- 
cured for  us  by  his  agonies,  toils,  and  death.  And,  at 
the  same  time  that  we  are  exalting  Christ  to  the  ut- 
most, we  should  avoid  the  extreme  of  those,  who,  un- 
der pretence  of  magnifying  our  Saviour's  infinite 
merit,  pretend  to  a  liberty  to  act  as  they  will ;  because 
whatever  swelling  words  we  may  speak,  we  do  not 
sincerely  trust  in  the  infinite  merit  of  the  sacrifice  of 
our  Lord  offered  up  as  our  Priest,  unless  we  manifest 
the  sincerity  of  our  faith,  by  submitting  to  him  as  a 
King. 

"It   shows   that   persons    have   no   desire   to    be 


CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE.  417 

saved  by  Christ,   when  they  take  pains  to  degrade 
him. 

"  None  can  better  judge  of  his  worth,  than  those, 
who  having  washed  their  robes  in  his  blood,  and  by 
his  aid,  passed  through  great  tribulation,  are  brought 
to  behold  his  face  in  righteousness.  They  suffer  no 
diminishing  thoughts  concerning  him  to  find  the  least 
harbour  in  their  spotless  breasts  ;  but,  in  the  company 
of  angels  and  archangels,  with  the  highest  strains  of 
rapture,  praise  and  adore  him. 

"  As  long  then,  as  Christians  are  travelling  through 
the  dark  and  gloomy  vale  of  life,  they  should  not  be 
backward  to  ascribe  the  highest  honours  to  him  who 
was  slain,  and  has  redeemed  them  to  God  by  his 
blood  ;  which  they  will  do  without  ceasing  and  weari- 
ness, when,  passing  out  of  time  into  eternity,  they  shall 
come  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord  in  the  peaceful 
realms  of  light  and  immortality,  where  faith  will  be 
turned  into  sight,  and  hope  will  be  swallowed  up  in 
enjoyment." 

Blessed  Jesus,  who  art  the  Light  of  the  world,  and 
the  Glory  of  thy  Church,  cause  the  bright  beams  of 
thy  Truth  to  shine  into  my  heart.  Open  my  under- 
standing that  I  may  understand  the  Scriptures.  Re- 
veal Thyself  as  my  Saviour,  as  the  Lord  my  Right- 
eousness, as  my  Great  Atonement  and  Example. 
Wash  me  from  all  my  sins  through  thy  pre^cious  blood 
Fill  me  with  faith  and  love,  meekness  and  humility. 
Wean  my  affections  from  the  world,  and  enable  me  to 
receive  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  in  simplicity,  to  walk 


418  CHRISTIAN    EXPERIENCE. 

in  the  way  of  thy  precepts  with  sincerity,  and  to  feed 
upon  thy  promises  with  gratitude.  Prepare  me  by  thy 
Holy  Spirit  for  the  mansions  of  glory  ;  and  place  me 
near  thy  throne  as  a  monument  of  mercy,  there  to 
praise  Thee  with  saints  and  angels  for  ever  and 
ever. 


THE  END. 


'.^Cr'i 


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